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The
deity worship is done either as the son of Kirathan or as his "Vapuss"
(body), with a difference in the base hymns (Manthrams).
In
order to teach a lesson to Arjuna, who had become too proud of his abilities, Siva and Parvathy go in disguise as tribal hunters to where he was doing
penance (Thapas). A boy is born to the couple during the hunting trip. The
boy becomes extreamely naughty and disturbs the peace of the people including
saints. Based on their request, Mahavishnu also disguises as a hunter and
humbles the boy, gives him a dagger (Churika) and, when eventually pleased, and
blesses him.
This
ritual is performed in order to get peace of mind. Symbolically, the various
elements in the story can be related through "Yoga Saasthram", and "Kundalinee" to the state and workings of the mind.
Performed
during the early part of the night, it begins with "Moolakkal Paattu" (also
called Mullackal Paattu, by mistake), which is symbolically invoking the
deity from its base position, outside the environment of house, with appropriate
rites and accompanied by drums and music. After this, the oracle (Velichapaadu
- mostly Namboothiris, in this case) carries the idol to the temple riding
an elephant and accompanied by the drumming and music with special lyrics.
The oracle now represents the deity and wears a red dress (Thattuduthu
Pattuchutty) and red flower garland.
The
oracle performs a peculiar dance with the accompaniment of drums. This
is called "Eedum Koorum". Having two specialist drummers (Maaraars) ensures
correct method of drumming (Chenda rhythms similar to the one in Thaayambaka
or Thodayam in Kathakali). Usually he completes at least two "Eedu" and
three "Kooru".
The
specialist artist (Kallattu Kurup, a sub - caste) would have by then completed
a large colourful picture of Vettakkorumakan with colour powders (white,
yellow, red and green) in Thekkini (a southern room or hall in the Mana). The oracle
then slowly steps around (Kalapradakshinam) this figure in special rhythms,
completing at least seven rounds (representing seven "Kundalinee" cycles)
and then leaves the venue. The Kurup sings a number of songs in praise
of the god, after which the oracle returns, cuts the cordon around the
figure with dagger, enters on to the figure and dances (Kalam Kaanuka).
Later he goes to the pond, bathes, returns, cuts the hanging decorative
palm-leaves (symbolic of cutting the forest, removing the dirt in the mind)
with the dagger and slowly and rhythmically erases the figure.
The
final item is for the oracle to break unhusked coconut by throwing them on a
stone slab. Anywhere from three to twelve thousand coconuts may be broken
continuously in a single sitting. Again, symbolically, this is supposed
to be a form of surrender of the mental propensities and is done for the
purpose of eliminating all troubles and problems of the family. The coconut
represents head and the throw represents surrender. The fifty ganglias
(controlling the fifty mental propensities) namely "Moolaadhaaram" (4),
"Swaadhistthaanam" (6), "Manipooram" (10), "Anaahatham" (12), "Visudhi" (16),
and "Aajna" (2), with each performing inside and outside the body, totally
make up 100 instances. These 100 instances when performed in the ten different
specific directions make the total instances one thousand. These thousand
instances when performed in 12 difference zodiacs (Raasi) escalate the
total figure to 12,000. This performance is known as "Pantheeraayiram" (twelve
thousand). Believing that these 12,000 coconuts carry the mental problems
of worshipers, they usually donate coconuts for this purpose.
Most
of the authorised Namboothiri families to perform this colourful rite,
exist even today. Some of the Namboothiri families authorised to
perform this rite, for the benefit of others, are the Pariyaarath (near
Kaadampuzha in Malappuram dt.), Erandapurathukaadu (near Pattambi in Palakkad
dt), Orambrath(near Wandoor in Malappuram dt.), Kandamangalam, Vallivattam
and Kalaasseri (all in Kozhikode dt). Non-Namboothiri castes performing
this rite are Kaarol Panicker and Nairs.
Article
prepared in Malayalam by Pariyaarath Raman Namboodiri.
English translation by K.D.Nambudripad. |
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