A furnishing design concept from' Mudiyettu'

A furnishing design concept from' Mudiyettu',a traditional art form of Southern Kerala

of Southern Kerala
I really like red hues.I don't know why i like it,when i studied about the costumes of folk lores red color was  most prominent in these,may be because most of the themes of folk lores are related to bloody wars between God and Evils.

The above fabric is designed on the concept of Mudiyettu,woven with2/20s cotton warp+10s cotton weft with 40 ends per inch(2.54cm),six heald shafts are required to produce this twill based design.The design will be more prominent when using an appropriate color scheme for warp and weft.

Mudiyettu 

 Presented at certain Bhadrakaali Temples in Travancore-cochin region.

Kuruppanmars(in travancore)and maranmars(in Cochin),are the communities entitled to perform this highly ritualistic art.Those who stage this have no age limit or any specific profession.

No evidence is available to fix the time of origin.The theme is the fight between Bhadrakaali and Darikan and the victory of Bhadrakaali in the fight.

At least sixteen persons are needed as charectors and back ground personnel.

The preliminaries consists of delineation of Kalam,Pooja for the specially installed deity(pratishtapooja),Thiriyuzhichil(passing a lighted torch all over the body),Thalappoli,Kalam Maikkal(effacing of the kalam)

A figure,depicted on the floor with the help of multihued flour,(sometimes this is Sudarsan Chakra,carried by Lord Vishnu) is worshiped,with such adjuncts as lighted Nilavilakku,Paddy,Rice and Coconuts.

Keli(overture on drums)is performed at the place of performance.

A ritual known as Arangu Vazhthal

The costume of such characters as Siva and Narada.

The entry of Darika

The entry of Kaali

the entry of Koyimbidar.

Koodiyattom-the fight between Daarika and Kaali,and finally the drumming known as Kalasam,to mark the end of the proceedings.These form the sequence of presentation.

Chenda(both Uruttu Chenda and Veekku Chenda)and cymbals are the percussion instruments used.

This is performed after dusk.

The stage consists of a pandal,with four supporting pillars,as in Kathakali,and the curtain is held up,by helpers,as in Kathakali and removed when needed.

Lighting is provided by Nilavilakku and Kuthuvilakku.Daarikan and Naradan have costumes similar to such characters in Kathakali.The facial make is too similar.

Kaali will have long flowing locks.And in addition,upper cloth and heavy hangings.

Uduthukettu(taking the end of the long cloth between the legs,to be tucked up behind at the waist)and pleated effects at the back,are some highlights of the costume.The costume beneath the waist is similar to that worn by Chakiars for Chakiar Koothu.