Mayilnrittam

Mayilnritham is one of the important and beautiful performing arts of Kerala. Also known as Mayilattam. The artists wear peacock feathers and dance as peacocks. Subramanya temples in south Kerala are the venue for this ritualistic performance. Mayilattam is conducted during annual festivals of the Subramany temples and Mahadeva temples by trained artists. Mayilattam is an artistic and religious form of dance performed in the Hindu temples of Kerala in reverence to Lord Subrahmanya. According to Hindu mythology Peacock is the vahana or the vehicle of Lord Subramanya. Mayilattam is performed in all Subramanya temples. Mayilattam performer wears costumes like Lord Subrahmanya travelling on his Peacock and performs specific dances. The performer dances not on his bare foot but on a tall piece of wood attached at the end of his feet. This art requires extensive training and practise. Due to this, the number of Mayilattam performers is decreasing. A notable Mayilattam performer is Kumaranalloor Mani