Velakali

Velakali is a ritual art. Velakali is a ritual art form presented in a temple courtyard or in the precincts of the temple tank. Among the martial folk arts, this is one of the most spectacular and extremely vigorous dances performed in Kerala. Originating among the Nairs, the traditional warriors of Kerala, this dance is now presented by other Hindu sects also. Fifty or more performers in the traditional attire of soldiers, bearing colourful shields and swords, dance with war like steps rhythmically to the tune of thakil, suddha manddalam, elathalam and kuzhal. When this velakali performed before a deity it is called thirummumbilvela and when performed near a temple pond it is called kulthilvela. There are some of the Kalaripayattu techniques in the valakali. The dancers, clad in the traditional clothes and colourful headgear of the medieval Nair soldiers, engage in vigorous movements and dexterous sword play, to the accompaniment of an orchestra comprising the maddalam, ilathalam, kombu and kuzhal. Velakali originated in Ambalappuzha where Mathoor Panicker, chief of the Chempakasserri army, promoted it to boost the martial spirit of the people. The dance form is a regular feature of the annual festivities at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna temple in Alappuzha district. The dancers display fighting techniques by coming forward from the line. The ritual Velakali is performed in the temple courtyard. It is begun with the deity taken out in a procession on an elephant. This is called Thirumumbil Vela which literally means that the performance is in front of the deity. If this ritual is performed near the temple pond, it is called Kulathilvela. In some places, the dancers are joined by flag-waving local people who group behind them and chant words signifying the particular dance-step in progress. In some others, dancers known as Velamudikkaars wearing masks of tigers and bears provide some kind of fun to the spectators.

Related Topics
Martial Art Forms  
Kalarippayatt  
Parisakali