Malapulayattam
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 Malapulayattam performance | |
| Native name | മലപ്പുലയാട്ടം (Malayalam) |
|---|---|
| Genre | Ritual |
| Instrument(s) | tribal instruments like chik vadyam, kitimitti, kuzhal, kattavadyam, urumi etc. |
| Origin | Kerala, India |
Malapulayattam also known as Chikk Attam is a tribal dance performed by the Malapulayan tribals of Idukki district in Kerala, as part of worshiping the deities Mariamman, Kaliyamman and Meenakshi in their caste-related festivals.
This ritualistic dance is also performed in public spaces outside Idukki as part of public programs and tribal festivals.
Malappulyars are a tribal community living in Marayur, Idukki district in Kerala.[1][2] They are immigrants from Tamil Nadu.[1] Their worship idols are deities like Mariamman, Kaliyamman and Meenakshi.[1] Malappulayattam is a tribal dance form performed as part of worshiping the deities in their caste-related festivals.[1]
There is a festival held in the Tamil month of Chithirai in connection with the Mariyamman temple in Malapulayan tribal area.[3] Malapulayattam is mainly held as a part of this.
Malapulaya people also perform Malapulayattam or Chik Attam at all important events in their daily life including marriage, birth and even death and girl child's first menstruation.[4] Only death has a different rhythm.[4] Malapulayattam is a very physically demanding folk dance.[1]
This ritualistic tribal dance is also performed in public spaces outside Idukki as part of public programs and tribal festivals.[2][5][6]
Dance
In Malappulayattam, everyone, including the elderly and the disabled, of the tribal colony, together steps in front of their clan deity.[3] Males and females will step together in traditional attire.[3] The dance is not supported by vocal singing.[3] Both men and women dance together and dancers change frequently.[3] Watchers later become dancers and dancers become watchers.[3]
Dancers move their bodies forward and backward from a circle.[2] The pace of the dance will also increase according to the pace of rhythms.[2]
