The
kalam is a unique drawing also called dhulee chithram or powder drawing. The
artist uses the floor as his canvas. Kalamezhuthu pattu is performed as part
of the rituals to worship and propitiate gods like Kaali, Ayyappan or Vettakkorumakan.
This ritualistic art is a common feature of temples as well as noble households.
The kalams or drawings are erased at the end of the ritual to the accompaniment
of musical instruments like ilathalam, veekkan chenda, kuzhal, kombu and chenda.
The coloured powders used for the kalam are prepared from natural products
only. The 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). It often takes more than two
hours to finish a kalam drawing with appealing perfection. Decorations like
a canopy of palm fronds, garlands of red hibiscus flowers and thulasi or Ocimum
leaves are hung above the kalam.
The figures drawn usually have an expression of anger, and other emotions.
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.
The Kalamezhuthu is a forty-day ritualistic festival beginning with the first
of Vrischikam (Scorpio) in most Bhagavathy temples in Kerala
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