Ayyappan Theeyattu Ritual Kerala

AYYAPPAN THEEYATTU

Ayyappan Theeyattu - Songs rendered in praise of the tiger-mounted Lord Ayyappan forms a vital part of the age-old ritual called Ayyappan Theeyattu. It is performed to propitiate Lord Ayyappan and to seek his blessings. Pattu means song and through Ayyappan Pattu, devotees narrate the various stages of his divine birth, love and devotion to his parents, valour and heroic deeds.

This is a ritual prevailing in the temples and houses of Brahmans performed by thiyyadi Nambiars. The myth depicts the story of palazhi madhanam. Ayyappa was born of the union of Vishnu and Siva. Ayyappa wants to know the secret of his birth, when he became grown up. As per the advice of Siva, Nandikeswara explained everything with mudras. This was, because, he was not supposed to talk to anybody as it was the time of pradosha. In the myth, the confrontation of Ayyappa and Indra is depicted. It also depicts how Ayyappa has quenched the ego of Indra. As per the advice of Siva, Ayyappa meets the king of Pandalam for becoming his son, and the God of the people on the earth. According to the myth, the thiyyadi Nambiars came form heaven along with Ayyappa.

Ayyappan theeyattu performed at Sree Ayyappa temples is one of the two classifications of the religious ritual art called Theeyattu. The other one performed at goddess Bhadrakaali temples is called Bhadrakaali theeyattu. Theeyattu literally means 'dance of the god'.

During Theeyattu, the Kalam - a ritualistic drawing on the floor using fine powders made of natural pigments - is drawn. Images of Kaali, Ayyappan or Vettakkorumakan are drawn depending upon what form of the art is performed.

The performers wear costumes resembling those of the concerned dieties. They sing and dance, enacting stories from mythology, to the accompaniment of the Ilathalam, Veekkan Chenda and the Chenda.

Towards the end of the ritual the performers reach a state of trance just before they erase the Kalam. In this state of trance they make statements supposed to be revealed to them by the deity. The ceremony is concluded by breaking a coconut as a ritual offering.

In ancient days this ritual was performed to ward off epidemics and other evils. Theeyattu was performed by a particular community in Kerala and its practice was restricted and allowed only within the community. The Ayyappan theeyattu is performed by the Theeyadi Nambiar community and the Bhadrakaali theeyattu by Theeyadiunnis

The last ritual is the playing of the sankhu and pulling down the koora (cloth) from the pandal. Chenda, para and elathalam are the musical instruments.