The Hindu : Kerala News : An ode to ‘Bhagavathy’

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Friday, Oct 19, 2007
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Kerala

An ode to ‘Bhagavathy’

Ritualistic song: A Bhagavathypattu performance in progress.

Bhagavathyppattu contains the mythical lore of Kodungalloor Bhagavathy and is handed down to generations orally. These ritualistic songs resonate in the rural areas of Palakkad from November to March.

The rural areas celebrate many musical festivals and the most important is Bhagavathypattu festival, which goes on for three nights and days. Huge crowds throng the venue. This festival has a ‘thala’ and 36 ‘cholppadi’.

The story of this musical art is related to the goddess born from the third eye of Lord Siva and her son. There is some mystery involved since it has no written history or lyrics. But a few research papers have come out on the oral traditions of Bhagavathypattu. The Kerala Folklore Academy conducted a few workshops on the theme. The accompaniments are ‘Nathunni’ and ‘Kuzhithalam.’ The artistes perform poojas and other ritualistic functions before starting the festival.

In Palakkad, a few noted artistes and some organisations are trying to keep the tradition alive. For Thrippalur Krishnadasan, an employee with the Railways, this is his chosen field.

He started learning it when he was eight years old. The different strains of Bhagavathypattu were taught by his father Pullode Rakappanashan and other veterans like Puthiyankam Chami Asan, Thiruvazhiyode Mani Asan, Kundu Asan and others. Like in classical music, this art form too has different styles of rendering, popularised by the Gurus. In Thrippalur there is a Bhagavathypattu Sanghom formed 15 years ago and led by Thrippalur Krishnadasan. They train a large number of youth in the district so that this precious tradition does not go extinct.

Other noted singers in this field are Pullode Rakappan Asan, Kodovayoor Krishnan, Vithanassery Chenthamara, Kumbalakkod Madhavan. This art form tries to evoke the blessings of goddess.

G. Prabhakaran

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