MUDIYETTU

Various forms of art worship exist in Kerala. Mudiyettu is one among them which is solely for worshipping or appeasing Bhadrakali, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Mudiyettu is believed to have existed much before the advent of temples. Along with the worship of gods and goddesses, multi-faced arts were employed to appease the deities. Many of such arts already vanished from the scene. Mudiyettu and few other forms of art worshipping are still in vogue. Mudiyettu is a devotional entertainment to the viewers and pleasing act to the Kali or say Bhadrakaali. No record is available to ascertain the origin period of this wonderful art.

Mudiyettu is the story of battle Bhadrakaali fought with two Asuras (demons) who were a nuisance to Devas and mankind alike. The Asuras were Daarika or say Daarikan and Daanavendra or Daanavendran. The battle ended with the killing of both the Asuras.

In Mudiyettu there are no Mudras (hand gestures), face masks and face expressions found in other types of art worshipping. Instead, facial make-ups and Chutti (art work made on the face with coloured rice paste) take their place. During the initial years the characters used to perform worshipping dance accompanied by speech. Later, dance and speech were replaced by rhythmic steps. The modified version gained more acceptance among the goddess and the people.

It is interesting that viewers also participate in the performance. When the artists get separated the scene becomes surcharged and dramatic. The character ‘Kooli’ amuses the viewers with comic speech and action. Such a character is not there in any other form of art worshipping.

The sequence of Mudiyettu is also quite different from other temple art-worshipping.

The first action in Mudiyettu is Kotti Ariyippu (drum-beat announcement). Second: Kalam Ezhuthu (portrait drawing on the floor with colour-powders). Third: Kalam Pattu (portrait-draw songs). Fourth: Chutti Kuthal (make-up with colour-paste). Fifth: Vilakku Veppu (lighting of lamp made of bell metal or brass). Sixth: Keli Kottu (announcement about starting of the performance).

1 Kotti Ariyippu: This is done after morning rituals in the temple are completed. The announcement is about the day’s performance. Chenda (high-pitch drum), Veekkam (low-pitch drum) and Elathalam (two cymbals made of bell metal or brass with heavy thread string as handles in the centre).

2 Kalam Ezhuth: Multi-colour portrait of Bhadrakaali is made on the floor in large size in the afternoon. Burned husk of paddy (for black), rice powder (for white), dried and powdered leaves of Acacia (for green), turmeric powder (for yellow) and lime powder mixed with turmeric powder (for red) are used.

3 Kalam Pattu: After the night rituals are over in the temple, the chief artist sings devotional songs in praise of Bhadrakaali. No sooner the song is over in which the Bhadrakaali is extolled than the chief artist transforms himself as Bhadrakaali in all spirits and disfigures the Kalam by wiping.

4 Chutti Kuthal: After disfiguring and wiping of the Kalam, the artists get into Chutti Kuthal. Other make-ups are similar to make-ups in Kathakali. Head gears too are same.

5 Vilakku Veppu: A big oil lamp is lighted. This is done after the Chutti Kuthal is over. The performance is done around this Vilakku.

6 Keli Kottu: This is the announcement of starting the performance. The Thaalam (rhythm) used for Keli Kottu is ‘Kuttanachi’. Kuttanachi is a mixture of ‘Alantha’ and ‘Champa’ Thalams.

The story behind Mudiyettu is interesting. There were two notorious Asuras (demons) known as Daarika and Daaravendra born to Daarumathi and Daanamathi. They underwent intensive Tapas (penance) to appease Lord Brahma and appear before them to elicit a Varam (boon) from him to gain them immortality. The intensive penance forced the Brahma to appear before them and to ask them what they want. They out-rightly demanded immortality. This unexpected demand took the Brahma off-guard and hesitatingly said that death is inevitable for anybody taken birth. The adamant Asuras conceded some adjustments and demanded that they be empowered that no males can ever kill them. The surprised Brahma asked them why they are not asking immunity from females. The enraged Asuras retorted that no female can ever do any harm to their life. The Brahma ultimately gave them the boon saying no male can kill them, knowing a female Bhadrakaali will be there to kill them.

The events presented in the Mudiyettu are as follows:

1 Siva Narada Samvadam (conversation between Lord Siva and Saint Narada): Narada approaches Siva and narrates the sufferings of Saints, gods, goddesses and common people at the hands of Asuras and requested him to safeguard them. Siva promises that there will be a solution shortly and he incarnated Bhadrakaali from his third eye (sacred eye) and she ultimately kills Daarika and Daanavendra.

2 Daarika Purappadu (triumphant march of Daarika): The triumphant march of Daarika after the Digvijayam (conquest of the eight directions) is presented.

3 Kaali Purappadu (the march of Bhadrakaali to kill Daarika and Daanavendra): The march of infuriated Bhadrakaali is presented in this episode.

4 Koyimpata Nayar (Lord Siva’s bodyguard): Koyiamptar or Koyimpata Nayar was sent in disguise by Siva with Bhadrakaali to help her, if need be, in the battle to kill Asura brothers.

5 Kooli Purappadu (the march of Kooli): Kooli is one amongst Pancha Bhoothams. Kooli was sent to assist Bhadrakaali in her mission. The comic speech and actions and the peculiar dressing help minimize the tension before and during the battle.

6 Koodiyattam (battle): Battle is started. The weapon Kaali, say Bhadrakaali, used is sword. Daarika and Daanavendra used Churika (dagger-like weapon). Fierce battle is ensued. Inevitable defeat dawned on Asuras and they ran away and took refuge in Pathalam (the kingdom of Asuras).

7 Daarika Vadham (killing of Daarika): Following the run away by Asuras, the Kaali gets infuriated. Koyiamptar grasps the danger of Kaali becoming more destructive and he removes her head gear and forces her to touch the ground with her sword. This was intended to cool and calm her down. The Asuras though ran away planned to wage a Maya Yuddham (illusory battle) in the night for which they are quite capable and waited for the dusk. Kaali knew what Asuras have in mind. She spread her long hair to conceal the sun and created an artificial dusk. Daarika brothers fell into the trap and returned to the battle field to be defeated miserably by Kali. She blessed all and disappeared.

There are few auspicious rituals in the performance:

1 Infants and children among the spectators are picked by Kaali and encircled the Arangu Vilakku (main oil lamp) thrice. Then Prasaadam (ritual offering to the deity) is given. In this case the Prasaadam is flowers from the garland on the head gear. The infants and children so blessed are believed to have immunized against contagious diseases, especially small pox and chicken pox. They will also have long healthy life, it is believed. This children-safe ritual is done after Kooli Purappadu and before Koodiyattam.

2Thelli Eriyal (throwing of pine resin powder to the cotton torch): In Purappadu and battle cotton torches are essential as ritual. Dried pine wood resin powder is thrown to the cotton torch flame. While the flames surcharge the scene, the medicinal properties of the smoke kill viruses causing contagious diseases. The atmosphere is also gets refreshed.

3Pantham Uzhiyal (encircling with flaming cotton torch): Kaali performs some rituals and worships Lord Siva after the battle is over. The cotton torch used for this ritual is taken to devotees present and pine wood resin powder thrown on to the flame so as to enable the devotees to inhale the smoke. This is the most auspicious and valued act of the ritual.

4Mudi Uzhiyal (taking off head gear): After Pantham Uzhichal, all the spectators or say devotees leave the place. At this point of time, Kaali takes off the head gear and place before the organizer or before the temple, as the case may be, and the Kaali performer and other performers encircle it thrice. At this time Prasaadam (flowers from the garland on head gear) is offered when Dakshina or say reward to the performance is given. Here ends the procedure.