Kanniyarkali – New
heights – Rising glory
Jaya Prakash Kallikkal
Enmeshed in the cultural ethos of Palakkad are traditions
that have delectable mix of Kerala Nair community and its culture. A tinge of folk dance and music traditions, drawing
inspiration from various historical and social traditions from Chera, Pallava and Chola
dynasties resonate through Kanniyarkali. Interweaving the life of common folk creatively
communicated through the medium of story-telling, mono acting, group dance,
costume, theatre and musical traditions Kanniyarkali, encapsulates folk traditions.
Palakkad upholds a unique identity in the landscape of
Kerala. Often referred to as ‘The Granary of Kerala’, passage of time has not
penetrated this gem of a land in the map of Kerala. While towering concrete
structures and crowded market places are replacing rural topography with
passage of time, Palakkad is perhaps a hidden paradise that greets a visitor to
a vast expanse of virgin green lands bordered by pretty hills endowed with a
cultural heritage that retains its innate freshness and charm.
Passage of time has not shrunk the cultural identity of
Palakkadan lifestyle. The village temples continue to conduct age old rituals
and some of the festivities (Velas and Poorams) like Nemmara Vela find its rightful
place in the Kerala Tourist calender and have world-wide following.
In the chain of temple festivities in the district of
Palakkad, a distinct folk dance form known as Kanniyar Kali continues to be followed
with fervor by the Nair Community. Primarily
known as Desathukali, Kanniyarkali is a vibrant folk art form deeply rooted in
the cultural landscape of Palakkad. This folk-dance-drama tradition is
performed, celebrated and followed with great fervor in several agrarian
villages of the Palakkad plains, especially in and around Chittur Taluk, during
the Vishu season (mid-April), coinciding with the end of the harvest.
Kanniyarkali is not merely a folk dance form that is limited
to few members or an hour of performance.
It enshrines the principles of story telling, mono acting, group dance,
costume and musical tradition drawing inspirations from various historical and
social traditions that extends from night to dawn for several days. Communities
collectively organize this event where representation of village (deshams) is considered a matter of
immense pride.
Kanniyar
kali performances are primarily conducted near or in vicinity of a temple in a
specially constructed arena called a Kanniyarkali pandal which is consists of a
roof supported by nine pillars and is square shaped. Colourful floral decorations adorns the
performance area where a nilaviakku (a
lighted lamp) is placed in the centre where the singers occupy the central
position of the stage and the dancers dance along the periphery of the pandal
in a circular and weave pattern. There
are also solo and group performances with Question and Answer sessions with
song and music sessions. The lyrics of the songs are mostly in Malayalam and
certain porattus have lyrics with influence of Tamil and Dravidian society. The
singers are accompanied by artists who play various musical instruments such as
the Elatalam, Chenda, Maddalam and the chengalam.
The participants are primarily men and women are represented
by cross-dressing men who imitate the body language and way of speaking of
women. However, changing times are
witnessing advent of young girls into the pantheon of Kanniyarkali performers.
Enmeshed in the cultural ethos of Palakkad and God’s Own
Country, Kanniyarkali has today transcended geographic boundaries of Kerala and
is touching new heights and recognition.
Kanniyarkali performances in Middle East and foreign nations is getting
due recognition. This traditional folk
dance and music form from Palakkad, Kerala is now an folk dance/music tradition
that has been given due recognition by Kerala State Government and Department
of Culture. University of Delhi has assigned
additional points for students proficient in this folk dance form, seeking
admission through the cultural segment.
Kanniyarkali has withstood the challenges of time.
Recent event by Kerala Kanniyarkali Arts Promotion Council (KKAPC)
Kerala Kanniyarkali Arts Promotion Council (KKAPC) organized
a two day Kanniyarkali festival on 16 & 17 May, 2025 at Pallasena which was
streamed live on You Tube. The event
witnessed assembly of large number of troupes from several villages (deshams)
from Palakkad and their performances were watched by thousand of Kanniyarkali
lovers from across the globe.
Several deshams gave solo and group performances at Pallasena.
Performances by Thiruvazhiyad, Kuzhalmannam, Anju Moorthy, Kizhakkencherry,
Puthiyangam, Kuthanoor deshams and Pallasana formed integral part of the
programme and got huge accolades.
Names of the prominent groups who participated in the event
organised by KKAPC (alongwith the dance item) are listed below:
1. Kakkayoor - Koottapooshari
2. Pallavoor
Padijarethara Sangham – Kootta Thottiyan
3. Iranjimannam
Desham, Kollengode – Kootapooshari
4. Athipotta
Desham: Cheruchathan
5. Vavulliyapuram
desham – Panan Paatti
6. Kattuserri
Desham – Mannan Mannathi
7. Pallasena
Desham – Malayar
8. Cheramangalam
Desham – Iratta Mudukar
9. Pullot Desham
– Kootta Malayar
10. Ayalur Thekke
Thara – Koota Mudugar
11. Pallavoor
Kizhakke Sangham – Thottiyan Thottichi
12. Pulinelli
Desham - Vettuvakanakkar
13. Nemmara Desham
– Kootta Chakkiliyar
14. Rishi Narada
Managala Desham: Vettuvakanakkar.
15. Koduvayoor
Karuvannoor Thara – Cherumi Cheruman
16. Kunisseri
Kizhakke Thara – Kootta Thottiyar
15. Vadavannur
Desham – Kurathi Kuravan.
16. Vanoor Desham –
Otta Chakkiliyar
17. Ayiloor Thara - Cheru Chathan
18. Pulinelli
Desham – Vella Kodishi, Vesha Kodishi
19. Nemmara Desham
– Kurathi Kuravan
20. Koduvayoor
Karuvannur Thara – Kootta Mariyamma
21. Kunisseri
Kizhakke Thara – Kurathi Kuravan
22. Vadavannur
Desham – Malayan.
