Poorakkali is a fascinating form of art that combines intellect, acrobatics, and music. Poorakkali differs from other art forms due to the long hours of performance that includes vigorous exercises and movements made in a circle around a large oil lamp.KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Poorakkali is one of the most significant and beautiful ritual art forms of North Malabar
- There is a resemblance between Poorakkali and Kalaripayattu
- During the Pooram days of the Meenam month (according to the Malayalam calendar), Poorakkali is performed in the Bhagavathy temples
Thiruvananthapuram: After an artist’s son married a Muslim woman, a temple committee denied his request to perform a ritual at a festival. The incident occurred at the Karivelloor Kaniyan Parambath Bhagavathy Temple in Kerala’s Kannur district. According to temple officials, since Vinod Panicker’s son married a Muslim woman, he will no longer be able to perform the ‘Poorakkali’ ritual which he has been doing for 37 years. Throughout North Kerala, there is a ritual art form known as ‘Poorakkali’ that is performed in the temples dedicated to Bhagavathy. This art form is performed during the nine-day Pooram festival in Bhagavathy temples, and it is primarily characterised by rhythmic foot movements resembling Kalaripayattu, which is considered one of the most ancient martial arts in the world.Poorakkali literally translates to play on Pooram day. The art form was originally performed by women but is now performed mainly by men. The stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata are narrated in these songs.Related NewsHolika Dahan 2022 date, muhurat, bhadra kaal and significance: Everything you need to knowHow is Holi celebrated in Vrindavan?”I am a Poorakkali artist and have been doing this for the past 37 years and this sort of humiliation has never been experienced when I was told I will not be able to perform it as my son married a Muslim lady,” news agency IANS mentioned a distraught Panicker as saying.According to the temple authorities, Panicker would only be allowed to perform if he moved from the home where he lives with his Muslim daughter-in-law, but Panicker refused.Although Panicker’s mother’s house is not far from his own, he refused to move there.Related NewsTelangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao hospitalised, cancels visit to Yadadri temple”This was my passion and I used to earn a bit of extra income performing this ritual art form,” said Panicker.This may be noted that Karivelloor has an extraordinary history. The first major uprising by farmers in the Malabar region for land, food, and freedom occurred here approximately 75 years ago.