Malayikuthu
Encyclopedia
Malayikkuthu is a dance ritual performed by the people of Malayi sect in Kerala
, South India
. Devakanni and Narada
are two characters that comprise Malayikkuthu. Davakanni's costume consists of gold and silver ornaments, pleated cloths and doted dresses. Narada wears silver ornaments and other colorful clothes. The face is decorated with turmeric and body paint. It is performed in front of a lighted lamp. (see: Nilavilakku
) Devakanni enters first. Other designates too accompany. Narada enters later and they dance together.
The theme of Malayikkuthhu is as follows: Seven virgins descended on earth to collect flowers. One lost her way and could not join others. Others headed back to heaven. A wandering Narada happened to see her and he wanted her to continue in this world itself.
Malayikkuth is performed in the district of Kannur
at Cherukunnu
Thekkumpadath. This is also known as Devakkuth.
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
. Devakanni and Narada
Narada
Narada or Narada Muni is a divine sage from the Vaisnava tradition, who plays a prominent role in a number of the Puranic texts, especially in the Bhagavata Purana, and in the Ramayana...
are two characters that comprise Malayikkuthu. Davakanni's costume consists of gold and silver ornaments, pleated cloths and doted dresses. Narada wears silver ornaments and other colorful clothes. The face is decorated with turmeric and body paint. It is performed in front of a lighted lamp. (see: Nilavilakku
Nilavilakku
Nilavilakku is a lighted bell metal traditional lamp used commonly in Kerala, South India. Nilam in the Malayalam language means ground and Vilakku means lamp. Nilam and vilakku have exactly the same meaning in the older cognate Tamil language. Nilavilakku is the symbol of Shiva LingaThe...
) Devakanni enters first. Other designates too accompany. Narada enters later and they dance together.
The theme of Malayikkuthhu is as follows: Seven virgins descended on earth to collect flowers. One lost her way and could not join others. Others headed back to heaven. A wandering Narada happened to see her and he wanted her to continue in this world itself.
Malayikkuth is performed in the district of Kannur
Kannur district
Kannur District is one of the 14 districts in the state of Kerala, India. The town of Kannur is the district headquarters, and gives the district its name. The old name Cannanore is the anglicised form of the Malayalam name Kannur. Kannur District is bounded by Kasaragod District to the north and...
at Cherukunnu
Cherukunnu
Cherukunnu is a census town in the Kannur district of North Malabar region in the Indian state of Kerala.- Demographics : India Census, Cherukunnu had a population of 16,246, with 7,473 males and 8,773 females....
Thekkumpadath. This is also known as Devakkuth.