Context: A Kalamezhutu workshop was recently organised by Malayalam Department in Kochi, Kerala.
About Kalamezhuthu
- Also known as ‘Dhulee Chithram’ or Powder drawing. also known as Kalam Pattu in northern parts of Kerala.
- Floor Art: Kalamezhuthu is a floor painting art form prevalent in Kerala. The artists use floors of temple or noble households as their canvas.
- Ritual significance: Performed as part of rituals to worship gods like Kaali, Ayyappan or Vettakkorumakan (serpent). The drawings are erased at the end of the ritual to the accompaniment of musical instruments. These drawings are part of Kalamezhuthu festival which is a 40-day ritualistic festival celebrated in most Bhagavathy temples of Kerala.
- Natural Colours: Maestros of this art form use natural colours. Pigments are extracted from plants - rice flour (white), charcoal powder (black), turmeric powder (yellow), powdered green leaves (green), and a mixture of turmeric powder and lime (red).
- Time taking process: Kalamezhuthu drawings take a long time to prepare, sometimes extending to two days with perfection.
- Themes: Figures drawn usually have an expression of anger and other emotions.
- Community involved: Kalamezhuthu artists are generally members of communities like the Kurups, Theyyampadi Nambiars, Theeyadi Nambiars and Theeyadi Unnis. The kalams drawn by these people differ in certain characteristics.
