Kummattikali

This is a ritualistic ceremony conducted for goddess Devi. The performers of this ceremony wear masks and adorn garbs of grass, dry leaves and the like. They visit all houses in the locality singing and dancing and accept cash as offering. Kummattikali is the name given to this variety of mask dance popular in the districts of Kerala. In Palghat, the Kummattikali is associated with Devi Temples where they are performed as part of rituals but in Trichur, the form is purely secular and is used to entertain people during the Onam festival. There are some slight differences between these two forms, in performance, costumes and songs.

In the district of Palghat, Kummattikali is performed to signify the beginning of the agricultural festival. The performers are washermen. Kummatti begins soon after the Makaram Harvest in January. They wear banana leaves as costume. The performers wear arecanut spathe or masks on their faces. Charcoal powder is applied on the body. They do not sing. This has been performed since ancient days as an offering.

In Trichur District, Kummattikali begins on the dawn of Thiruvonam. The players and the people who play the musical instruments visit the temple and pay respect to God. The local elders distribute gifts. Usually Kummattikali is performed by the Nair community. Groups of dancers don masks and adorn themselves with leaves and grass go from house to house and dance. Each household pays them in cash or kind. Originally, only Nairs performed this dance, and it was common to find masks stored in Nair houses. Today anybody can participate.

Related Topics
Folk Art Forms   Theyyam   Kalampattu   Kunhi Theyyam   Kaliyoottu   Kavadiyattam   Kuthiyottam   Sarpapattu   Thidampunrittam   Mayilnrittam   Padayani   Pulikali   Margamkali   Cherumarkali   Mudiyettu   Arjuna Nritham   Kannyarkali   Theeyattu   Paana   Tholpavakoothu