KUMMATTIKKALI

Kummaattikkali is the name given to a variety of mask dances popular in the Palghat and Trichur Districts of Kerala. In Palghat, they are associated with Devi Temples where they are performed as part of rituals, whereas in Trichur, the form is purely secular, used to entertain people during the Onam festival. There are some differences between these two, in performance, costumes and songs.

Kummaattikkali in Palghat District

In Ottapalam Taluk of Palghat District, Kummaatti signifies the beginning of the agricultural festival. The performers are washermen. Kummaatti begins soon after the Makaram Harvest that takes place in January. They wear banana leaves as costume. The performers wear arecanut spathe or masks on their faces. Charcoal powder is applied on the body. They do not sing. This has been performed since ancient days as an offering.

Kummaattikkali can today be seen in its pristine form in the Bhadrakaali Temple at Putusseri in Palghat District, where it is an important part of the annual festival. The festival begins on the first Wednesday after the new moon in the month of Makara (January-February), and Kummaattikkali is performed on its seventh day. It follows a brief performance by children, called Tö lKummaatti. Here, children paint their faces with a paste made of soot, and over this black base make designs with a mixture of rice flour and lime. They tie a white garment round the waste and adorn themselves with bunches of fresh leaves. Once dressed, they go round the temple in a dance like movement 'Kummol, Kummol,' led by an elderly man holding a mask.

Another, and more important performance of Kummaattikkali takes place on the ninth day of the festival. This is given in a spirit of competition between two groups of people from two opposite parts of the village. An interesting legend lies behind this observance.

A long time ago, a devotee of the temple at Putusseri, Naanu Nair, was mistaken for a mad man and the people from two parts of the village bound him, kept him immersed in a pond and eventually drowned him. The Goddess of the temple, Bhadrakaali, swelled with rage. An epidemic broke out in the village and only then did the people realize that they have had committed a crime and offended the Goddess. So to atone for the sin and appease Bhadrakaali they began the practice of performing Kummaattikkali at the temple every year, wearing masks resembling the face of Nanu Nair. That marked the inauguration of the annual Kummaattikkali dance in the temple.

In the festival, the two groups of people proceed to the pond where Naanu Nair is said to have been drowned. Holding masks in their hands, they stand on opposite sides of the pond. The masks are identical in size, shape and design. The participants first run around the temple and then go from house to house, receiving coconut, jaggery and rice by way of offerings. By now, it is evening, and they return to the temple in procession, with a small idol of the Devi carried on elephant-back to the accompaniment of music, torches and fireworks. There is dancing in the procession, and when this reaches the temple the celebration comes to an end.

Kummaattikkali, is also a key feature of the Konganpata festival held in the month of Makara (January-February) every year in Chittur, Palghat. This festival has a historical association. It is said that once the ruler of Palghat had to face a fierce attack from the Kongu king. The ruler of Chittur in a gesture of help sent his men to ward off the attack. It is in commemoration of this event that the Konganpata is celebrated annually. However, the participants in this are only children. It is believed that Chittur Bhagavati also took part in the war, donning the garb of a Yoddha (soldier), and killed the king.

The Kummaattikkali associated with the Konganpata festival is usually conducted on a Friday. The whole village assemble at the Devi temple to witness this. As a result of Divine Ordinance, two people are selected as Commanders in Chief. They are known as Muppatti. Many boys, in their early teens are ready to play their role as warriors. When the temple flag is hoisted, these young warriors along with the Muppatti walk south-west ward to Palathulli which is the boundary of Chittoor. This is to commemorate the soldiers who went to Palathulli to consult magicians in order to ensure victory in the war. By 10 A.M the boys called Kummaattikkuttikal (Kummaatti children) bathe in the Palathulli river and start walking, with slogans of victory.

The children assemble at the Bhagavati's Alttara (Platform of a banyan tree) before dusk. The Bhagavati Niyogam (Representative of Bhagavati) also gets ready for way. She wears colourful costume anklet, gold ornaments and holds a shining sword in 'her' hand, and walks in front of the army. The villagers, walk behind them with lighted torches, and the Kummaatti boys too follow the Bhagavati Niyogam with victorious cheering. This procession reveals the unity of the little village. The group go up to the puvattunkavu, from where the Bhagavati and the people disperse. Only the Muppatti's and the Kummaattis remain there. At midnight, the Kummaatti's return to Chittoor Temple.

The festival at the Devi Temple at Munduur, 11km. from Palghat town, is conducted in a different manner. The Devi is said to have once decapitated a washerman for practising black magic, and the Kummaattikkali at Munduur is in remembrance of this event.

In a tender sprout of the plantain tree are placed small pieces of a special wood strung together. One end of the sprout is adorned with a sprig of flowers, including some from the arecanut tree. This entire arrangement is then tied to the back of the performer so that the flowers peep over his head. Performers who wear this are called Mutikuttikal and escort the Velichappadu (oracle) through the village receiving offerings from the devotees on the way. On the following day, the Mutikuttikal come to the temple and dance in the company of the Velichappadu.

Kummaattikkali in Trichur District

In Trichur District, Kummaattikkali begins on the dawn of Thiruvonam. The players and the people who play the musical instruments visit the temple and pay obeisance to God. They receive clothes as gifts from the local elder. Usually the Nairs perform Kummaatti.

Groups of dancers donning masks and adorning themselves with leaves and grass go from house to house and dance. Each household pays them in cash or kind. Originally, only Nairs performed this dance, and it was common to find masks stored in Nair houses. Today anybody can participate.

The distinguishing feature of the Trichur Kummaattikkali is the use of a large variety of imposing masks. One popular character in the range is a toothless old woman known as talla (grandmother). The mask of the talla has the hair tied on the top of the head, like the old women of the past. The ear ornaments are huge round ones. Sometimes brinjals are hung instead of the ear ornaments called Kundalam. The talla enacts according to the song sequences in the song and makes the audience laugh.

The Kummaattikkali of Trichur is more attractive and appealing because of its music. The songs are melodious and deal with devotional themes. Songs relating to the story of Mahaabali, which is the basis of the Onam festival are particularly catchy. The rhythm for the singing is not provided by a drum but by vibrating the string of a bow-like instrument called onavillu. The bow is made of arecanut wood. The string firmly tied to the two ends with slats and bamboo is beaten with a bamboo sliver.

No special or elaborate training is required to dance. The style, as in most folk dance forms, is, by and large, learned merely through participation.

The number of participants vary according to their financial position. The players don their faces with the masks of Puranic characters like Siva, Kiraatamoorthi, Naarada, Hanumaan, Darika, and Krishna. The costumes are made of grass.

The song for the Kummaattikkali is sung by the leader of the group. The masked Kummaattis do not sing.