Theeyattu
is a solo dance-drama performed in front of the Kalam or Dhooli Chitram (ritual
drawing with coloured powders). It is enacted in some Bhagavathy temples of
Thiruvalla, Kottayam, Thripunithura and neighbouring areas. The ritual starts
with the invocation of Lord Ganapathy, Lord Siva and goddess Saraswathy, after
which the performer dons a crown smaller but similar to the one used in Mudiyettu.
The most popular story narrated through a Theeyattu performance is that of the
duel between goddess Kaali and the demon Daarikan. The dance form is usually
performed by a small group of temple bound communities called the Unni. Theeyattu
is still a ritual offering made every Friday at the Pallippurathu Kaavu temple
near Kottayam town.
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