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Performing Arts of Kerala Christians

Margam Kali

Margam Kali .. Performing dance by kerala Christian

Among the performing arts of Christians, Margam Kalli deserves special mention. It is a group dance developed by the Syrian Christians of Kerala. Parichamuttu kali and Chavittu Natakam are other main performances of the Christian community. Parichamuttu is usually performed by Harijans.

This Christian folk culture is performed even with stories of foreign influence like the themes of St. Thomas (Margam kali) or the story of Karlman (Charles the king of France) in Chavittu Natakam. Parichamuttu kali – group dance with dancers holding sword and shield made of wood, circled around a lighted oil lamp, playing and singing themselves; with a major stress in blending Kerala folk tunes along with meaningless syllables which formed the language of the folk instruments. Eg: ‘Hitta Hinda Teyyakka Timrutai’. These meaningless syllables represent a general pattern of rhythm. This dance is not a part of Margam Kali. The dancers have a string of bells around the ankles and have to undergo rigorous Kalari training. The language of the songs is in relation to old Tamil.

Margam Kali

Some scholars mention Margam Kali as an imitation of ‘Yatra Kali’. However, the real source of inspiration for Margam kali was the ‘Kalari Payattu’. The word Margam means path and Kali means play. It was used to propagate Christian ideas. It was an inspiration from an indigenous culture. The leader of the troop is known as ‘Asan’ who leads the group and there are only male dancers dressed in local dress with an addition of a turban on the head. Like in Parichamuttu Kali, the dancers also have to undergo Kalari training and the songs are similar to old Tamil.

Chavittu Natakam

Chavittu Natakam is a dramatic form that was introduced during the time of the Portuguese in the 16^th century AD. It is practised by the Latin Christians, in a western opera type theatre. Karalman Natakam, Genova Natakam and Napoleon Charithram were some of the popular themes. They were written in old Tamil but also had a western influence on them. Kathakali and Kalari Payattu influenced this form of theatre. The characters used to sing their dialogues and a lot of Kalari artists took part in this drama because the plays were all based on violence as well as they had a heroic theme in most of them. It was not mere acting, but realistic acting and all the actions were genuine regardless of pain. These were accompanied by vocal singing and the rhythm of instrument like the Chenda creating a vibrant effect.

Chavittu Natakam ( A actor dressed)

Almost all actors were trained in Kalari Payattu and the texts were kept in palm leaf or paper (chuvatti). The texts were in Tamil because of the missionary propagation being conducted in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. The dual purpose for introducing this art was to make the Christian population adventurous and to keep pace with the cultural developments of other communities like the Hindus. Chavittu Natakam was received with ovation as Christians were denied the opportunity to witness the various Hindu art forms conducted in temples. Presently this art form is in its dying stages because of no propagation and encouragement among public.

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