The kalam is a unique drawing also called " dhulee chithram"
or powder drawing. The artist uses the floor as his canvas. Kalamezhuthu
pattu is performed as part of the rituals to worship and propitiate
gods like Kaali, Ayyappan or Vettakkorumakan.
This ritualistic art is a common feature of temples as well as noble
households. The kalams or drawings are erased at the end of the ritual
to the accompaniment of musical instruments like ilathalam, veekan
chenda, kuzhal, kombu and chenda.
The coloured powders used for the kalam are prepared from natural
products only. The pigments are extracted from plants - rice flour
(white), charcoal powder (black), turmeric powder (yellow), powdered
green leaves (green), and a mixture of turmeric powder and lime (red).
It often takes more than two hours to finish a kalam drawing with
appealing perfection.
The figures drawn usually have an expression of anger, and other
emotions. Kalamezhuthu artists are generally members of communities
like the Kurups, Theyyampadi Nambiars, Theeyadi Nambiars and Theeyadi
Unnis. The kalams drawn by these people differ in certain characteristics.
Decorations like a canopy of palm fronds, garlands of red hibiscus
flowers and thulasi or Ocimum leaves are hung above the kalam.
The Kalamezhuthu is a forty-day ritualistic festival beginning with
the first of Vrischikam (Scorpio) in most Bhagavathy temples in Kerala.
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