Rapid Fire
Mudiyettu Dance Drama of Kerala
- 30 Dec 2023
- 1 min read
Mudiyettu is a ritual theater and dance drama of Kerala that enacts the mythological tale of a battle between the goddess Kali and the demon Darika.
- The ritual is a part of the bhagavathi or bhadrakali cult and is performed in Bhagavati temples, usually between February and May, after the harvest.
- The performance is done by members of the Marar and Kuruppu communities, who paint their faces and wear elaborate costumes and headgears.
- It involves various characters such as Shiva, Narada, Darika, Kali, Daanavendra, Koyichaadar and Kooli .
- The ritual ends with a victorious Kali entering the stage holding the head of Darika, followed by a song of praise to Shiva.
- Mudiyettu is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the second art form from Kerala after Kutiyattam.
