Mudiyettu: The Ritual Theatre

Images of different stages of the folk art form of Mudiyettu

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  • Kalamezhuthu or floor painting: the preliminary ceremony of Mudiyettu
    Goddess Kali depicted in floor painting
  • Flame brought from the temple sanctorum to light the oil-lamps
    Painting lit up by light from oil-lamps
  • Goddess Kali drawn with trident in one hand and head of demon Darikan in the other
    Elaborate design of Goddess Kali
  • Coloured powders obtained from natural sources
    Five coloured powders used in the painting
  • Elaborate facial make-up in Mudiyettu
    Performers getting ready backstage
  • Make-up carried out deferentially and ceremoniously
    Make-up begins invoking Ganapati
  • Actor prepares for the role of Kali
    Preparing for the role of Kali
  • Actors preparing for the performance
    Backstage during Mudiyettu
  • Oil-lamp burning backstage
    Oil-lamp burning backstage
  • Actor checks his make-up in the mirror while facial make-up for Kali carries on in the backdrop
    Actor checks in the mirror
  • Tying the upper-body cloth of Darikan, the demon
    Tying the upper-body cloth of Darikan, the demon
  • Artists chant descriptory verses of Kali
    Artists chant descriptory verses of Kali
  • White spots on Kali's facial make-up symbolize small pox lesions
    Chutti kuthuka or doing Kali's facial make-up
  • Artists chant descriptory verses of Kali
    Artists chant descriptory verses of Kali
  • Actor in the role of demon Darikan giving final touches
    Giving final touches
  • Para or the measuring device being filled with rice grains
    Stage for Mudiyettu being set
  • Curtain held up for the performance
    Stage set for the performance
  • Drummers playing behind the curtain
    Drummers playing behind the curtain
  • Narada informing Siva of Darikan’s devilry
    Narada informing Siva of Darikan’s devilry
  • Narada and Siva
    Narada and Siva
  • Darikan making his entrance
    Darikan making his entrance
  • Darikan, the demon, begins his performance
    Darikan, the demon, begins his performance
  • Darikan proclaiming his invincibility
    Darikan proclaiming his invincibility
  • Flames surge as thelli powder is thrown
    Flames surge as thelli powder is thrown
  • Fast tempo, great flames convey Darikan’s might
    Fast tempo, great flames convey Darikan’s might
  • Kali's entrance
    Kali's entrance
  • Kali’s grand headdress called 'mudi' in Malayalam
    Kali's grand headdress
  • Kali entering the arena accompanied by music
    Kali entering the arena
  • Spectators welcoming Kali
    Spectators welcoming the goddess
  • Character of Koyinpada Nair, who leads the army in Mount Kailash
    Character of Koyinpada Nair
  • Glimpse of the drama
    Glimpse of the drama
  • Demons admitting defeat
    Demons admitting defeat
  • Finely-torn slices of tender coconut leaves form Kali’s hair
    Slices of tender coconut leaves form Kali’s hair
  • Building up the tempo for the climax
    Build-up to the climax
  • Battle between Kali and the demons
    Battle between Kali and the demons
  • Different stages of the battle
    Different stages of the battle
  • Different stages of the battle
    Different stages of the battle
  • Demons defeated by Kali
    Demons defeated by Kali
  • Headdresses of demons are taken off to symbolize their slaying
    Demons with their heads cut off
  • The godess with the demons' heads
    Kali with the demons' heads
  • Performance comes to an end
    Performance comes to an end
  • Goddess blesses the spectators
    Goddess blesses the spectators
  • Actor receiving gifts
    Actor receiving gifts
  • Actor receiving gifts
    Actor receiving gifts
  • Kali, the goddess, in all grandeur
    Kali, the goddess, in all grandeur