Poorakkali is an art form associated with Pooram festival in northern Kerala. Introduction about Poorotsavam is necessary when talking about Poorakali.
Poorotsavam or Pooram is a very beautiful and very special festival celebrated only in some parts of Kannur and Kasaragod districts in northern Kerala . Though the name is Pooram, Pooram in North Kerala is not a celebration like the famous Tyassur Pooram or Poorams held in other temples. Poorotsavam is a nine-day long festival from Karthika Nakshatra to Pooram Nakshatra in the Malayalam month of Meenam. This festival is known as Vasantotsavam(Festival of flowers) of north Kerala where girls worship Lord Kama with flowers.
Poorotsavam is a very ancient festival and there is evidence that Poorotsavam has existed since the Sangha period. Poorotsavam is present today in Allada Swarup and Kola Swarup (areas from Chandragiri river in the north to Valapatnam river in the south). In the past, Poorotsavam used to be held up to the south Kora river, but today there is no Poorotsavam in the southern part of Valapatnam river.
Girls play the most important role in Poorotsavam. On Poora days, the main ritual is to make a Kama Vigraha out of soil or cow dung and decorate it with flowers. Idols made like this are called Kaman. In some places, the Kama Deva idol is made with flowers only, without using soil or dung.
The legend behind Puraghosha is actually related to a story of Lord Shiva and Kamadeva. After the death of Goddess Sati, the saddened Lord Shiva began to do penance. But the devas decided to create love for Goddess Parvati in Shiva’s mind. Accordingly, Lord Kamadeva sprinkled the flower arrow on Shiva’s body and left. But Lord Shiva woke up from his penance and trembled with anger and opened his third eye and burnt Kamadeva to ashes.
Lord Kamadeva’s wife Rati Devi and the deities became very sad when they heard that Kamadeva was reduced to ashes. They awakened their grief by actually seeing Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva who was saddened by the grief of Devi Rati and the deities. He consoled them by telling them that he would reincarnate Lord Kama. Lord Shiva also asked the deities to make Kamadeva’s form out of flowers and pray. Thus Kamadeva was reborn. It is believed that Purakali is celebrated as a symbol of the rebirth of Kamadeva, where the deities danced and Parameswaran also took part in the dance. While the Poorotsavam is celebrated by girls, Poorakali is played by men.
Anyone can participate in Poorakali regardless of age. There is no exact requirement on the number of people participating. The person who manages the Poorakkali is called Panikkar. The panikkars must have great skill in Poorakali and extraordinary mastery of Poorapats. In all Kavus(Temple) where Purakkali takes place, a panikkars is ritualized to control the game.
Poorakkali is played around a lighted lamp (Nilavilakku). Poorakali songs are known as Pooramalas or Pathinettu nirangal (eighteen colours). Each of the eighteen colors in the Poora Mala has its own tunes and steps. Legend has it that the deva maidens danced to eighteen types of ragas and eighteen colors as per Vishnu’s instructions to revive Kamadeva and that is how the Poorakkali got eighteen colors.
Poorakkali consists of games such as Ganapati Patt, Ramayana, Iratta and Angam, which are known as big games after eighteen colors. At the end, Poorakali is concluded by praising the deities of the respective temple.
Maruthu (competition) game is the competitive playing of Pooram. Maruthu game is played between two Kavus, or between two Poorakkali teams.
Panikkars of the competing team have a practice of conducting debates on science, debate, Natya Shastra, Rashtra Mimamsa and other subjects.
It is believed that Panikkars should have knowledge of six Shastras, four Vedas and eighteen Puranas. Naturally, it takes years of effort to acquire this knowledge.
The rest of the players follow the song sung by Panicker and take the steps. Apart from mouth singing, no other instruments are used for Poorakali.
The steps of Poorakali are very similar to the steps of Kalari Payat. The costume silk dress and urumal of Poorakkali is similar to the kachi and chura, the clothes of Kalari. A lot of skill is needed when stepping into the big games of Poorakkali. Because of that, those who have practiced some steps in Kalari can easily perform Poorakali with little effort.
Apart from Kavus, Poorkali is also played in other celebrations such as school youth festival.
Being an ancient art form, Poorkali involves various types of rituals. There are various ceremonies like veettayam kodukkal, koottikkonduvaral, daivathara undakkal, poovidal , panthal kali, kazhakam kayaral, panthal kali maaral
Veettayam kodukkal – The ceremony of going to the panikkar’s house and offering prasad and silver coins in front of the lamp and entrusting the panikkar to perform the Poorkali.
Koottikkonduvaral – The ceremony of bringing the Panickers to the Kavi or the place where the poorakkali takes place.
Daivathara undakkal – The ceremony of preparing a place for poorkali outside the kavu or Tharavad (home) where the poorakkali takes place and constructing a shed and making a five, seven or nine step in prime corner of the shed for worshiping God.
Poovidal – This is the ceremony of putting flowers on the god’s floor in Poorakkali shed. Leucas aspera or Champaka is used for flowering. Flowering continues from the outer Shed until the game moves inwards.
Panthal Kali – Playing poorakkali in temporary shed (Panthal).
Panthal Kali Maaral – The ceremony of stoping Poorakali in outside temporary shed and starts Poorakkali in the playground inside the temple. On the day of Purotsavam or Makairiyam day, the game in the outer shed is stopped and the game starts inside Kavu.
