Kavadiyattam is performed by the devotees wearing a yellow or saffron cloths with sacred ash smeared all over the body. They twist, spin, dance and sway in a frenzy to the rising beats of percussion instruments like udukku, chenda and nadaswaram. Kavadis comes in different shapes and sizes and each has its own significance.
Art
Kavadiyattam
History of Kavadiyattam
Kavadiyattam religious dance and a ritual art dedicated to Lord Subramania and it is widely practiced in Subramania temples all over the state of Kerala during festivals. There are three types of Kavadis performed in Kerala namely pookavadi, mayilpeeli kavadi and Ambalakavadi. Pookavadi is decorated with colorful artificial flowers, Mayilpeeli Kavadi is decorated with peacock feathers and Ambalakavadi is shaped like the tower of a temple which can go up to 18 feet in height.
How to perform
The origin of Kavadiyattam is in Tamilnadu and it means dancing carrying a Kavadi and the devotees carry an ornate made of bamboo strips bent like a huge bow covered with saffron cloths and decorated with peacock feathers. It is believed that peacock is the vehicle of lord Subramanian. Kavadiyattam is performed for all the festivals connected with Lord Murugan temples.
Famous artists from kerala
- Kavadiyattam is performed by different troupes and people who have offering to the Lord.
