Kaliyattam
Kaliyattam, the divine event takes place on the 10 th day of the malayalam month dhanu at ivormadom Mahashmashanam, a land steeped in spiritual legacy and ancestral reverence.
Ivormadom
Kaliyattam
At Ivormadom, Goddess Chudalabhadrakali, the guardian of the crematorium, is worshipped alongside Mahakaleshwar, the lord of the crematorium, Kalabhairavan, Vishnumoorthi and Gulika. Situated on the serene banks of the Nila River, which is revered as the Dakshina Ganga, Ivormadom exudes a sacred radiance, with Lord Krishna as Parthasarathy at the Ivormadom Temple and Lord Sri Vilwadrinathan, the protector of the land, gracing the site.
The crematorium is also the resting place of Mahabhadrakali, born from Lord Shiva’s third eye to vanquish the demon Darika. Following his death, Lord Shiva directed Mahabhadrakali to reside here, where it is believed that those cremated at this site are liberated from the cycle of birth and death, attaining salvation. The land, blessed by Mahabhadra, remains forever sacred and protected, offering safety to both the devotees and the region.
In the tradition of Kaliyattam, the history of Bhadrakali is recounted in rhythmic chants, accompanied by a mesmerizing dance that blends fierce and gentle movements, bestowing blessings upon both the people and the land. The Kaliyattam dance form is deeply tied to the legend of Chudalapottan, a manifestation of Lord Shiva who sought to end caste divisions during Sri Shankaracharya’s time. The iconic story narrates how, after visiting Kashi Vishwanath, Shankaracharya is confronted by Mahadeva, appearing as a Chandala, covered in human ash. Acharya on seeing the Chandala standing on his way asks him to move, and the chandala asks him who should move, the body or the soul, reminding Acharya the essence of non-duality.
Kaliyattam is a synthesis of diverse worship practices, including tree worship, mountain worship, mother goddess worship, ghost worship, and Vaishnavism. Among the most visually captivating forms of worship in South India, Theyyam, meaning “God,” stands as a remarkable expression of devotion. With rhythmic “Thotam” songs, the performance involves dancing over fire, falling into flames, sitting on embers, fireball dances, sword dances, and intricate facial makeups and body art. The central instruments accompanying Theyyam are the uruttuchenda, elathalam, and kurumkuzhal.
Under the leadership of Mr. Aneesh Perumalayan from Iritty, Kannur, Kaliyattam continues to be performed at Ivormadom. This art form, a blend of various cultural expressions, not only serves as a spiritual practice but is also vital for promoting agricultural prosperity, ensuring cattle health, preventing disease outbreaks, and combating hunger.
Every year, on the 10th of the Malayalam month Dhanu, Kaliyattam is held at the Ivormadom crematorium, organized by the Ivormadom Paithruka Samskara Samrakshana Samithi in collaboration with the Kerala Folklore Academy, Kannur.
