KOCHI: Artistically woven tender palm leaves against blood red linen sparkled in the golden glow of country torches as the much awaited Ghandakarna theyyam entered the courtyard of Adampilly Kavu Bhagavathy Temple surrounded by traditional percussionists. In tune with the frenzied rhythm the theyyam started the racial dance. With more than half a dozen country torches tied around the waist, the artist roamed around the temple premises.
The rituals related to theyyam began at 6 30 pm with the theyyam purappadu, a unique percussion ensemble to mark the beginning of Bhadrakaali theyyam. Then after deeparadhana two Bhagavathy theyyams entered the ground with all paraphernalia. They completed a round of the temple followed by the devotees and percussionists. During this the flame of the country torches was doubled by sprinkling thelli powder.
Presenting excerpts from the martial arts, the Bhagavathy theyyams performed the ritualistic dance in their peculiar style. In the meantime Ghandakarna theyyam had the final preparations in the green room. The artist covered his face with a skilfully designed mask with minute openings in the place of eyes and mouth and then country torches were attached around his waist.
With the glowing flames of the country torches tied around the waist the Ghandakarna theyyam completed a few rounds of the temple premises and then started the rhythmic slow paced ritualistic dance in tune with the basic beats from chenda and elathalam.
It was well known theyyam artist Venu from Nanmanda in Kozhikode who presented this memorable staging.
Interestingly, the main artist adorning the role Ghandakarnan wore a typical costume below his waist made of thick layers of tender palm leaves.
“This unique decoration style is adopted by our ancestors to minimise the heat emitted from the country torches tied around the waist,” said Venu. Before the climax of the ritualistic dance the accompanying artists sought blessings from the central character and then ended the ritualistic dance form rooted in mother goddess cult.
The climax performed against the backdrop of the temple lit by hundreds of chuttuvilakku evoked an incredible elation in the minds of devotees gathered in the temple courtyard.
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