Poorakkali is a unique performing art of Northern Kerala. Poorakkali
integrates rituals associated with the worship of the God of love,
devotional songs, dances dedicated to several deities and an academic
contest between heads of Poorakkali troops known as PauLckei\i, on
issues ranging from logic and grammar to philosophy.
Poorakkali was a ritual dance performed by men during the nine day
Pooram festival in Bhagavathy temples, across the erstwhile state
of Kolathunadu (northern Kerala).
The festival, to propitiate Kamadeva ( the god of love), begins with
the Karthika asterism and concludes on the pooram asterism of the
Malayalam month of Meenam (Pisces). Performed by a group of young
men in loin clothes, this pirouette around a huge multi-decked nilavilakku
involves a lot of martial skills and masculine movements.
There are no singers or orchestra accompanying the performance and
the dancers themselves sing and keep rhythm by movements of the foot
and clapping of hands. The songs are based on mythology. Songs in
praise of Goddess Saraswathy (goddess of learning and art) and Lord
Ganapathy (the elephant headed god) are also sung. The dance begins
with systematic rituals after an invocation.
Usually the dancers observe a month of abstinence and strenuous practice
before the performance. A dance form on the verge of extinction, efforts
are on by the government to keep the Poorakkali alive.
Maruthukali, a sort of competition, also forms a part of Poorakkali.
This includes scholarly debates on grammar, literature and mythology.
Maruthukali is lead by two Panikkars (eminent Poorakkali artistes)
who are well versed in mythology, grammar and music.
The Naturemagics website is updated frequently. We invite
your comments and suggestions to make this site better. We also invite
you all to check out the blogs that we maintain.
