Aayudha pooja

Shots from our office -Ayudha pooja as part of Navarathri celebrations

'Ya devi sarva bhootheshu shakthi roopena samsthitha

Namasthasii namasthasii namsthasii namo nama

Ya devi sarvabhootheshu vidya roopena samsthitha

Namasthasii Namasthasii namasthasii namo nama

Ya devi sarvabhootheshu mathruroopena samsthitha

Namasthasii namasthasii namo nama '

Navarathri that means 'Nine nights' in sanskrit. Worshipping the goddess in 9 forms in these 9 days. This festival is observed in almost all states of India. In Kerala this festival has more connection with Saraswathi devi.

'Vella palungu niramotha vidagda roopi

Kallm kalanju kamalathilezhunna shakthi

vellathile thirakal thalli varu kanakkennullathil

vannu vilayadu saraswathi devi'

A sloka about Saraswathi devi in Malyalam.

'Pooja vekkal' and 'Pooja edukkal' will be in Saraswathi mandaps or in saraswathi temples. Pusthaka pooja and Ayudha pooja are conducted in temples. On vijayadashami day Children will start their official learning and it is known as 'Ezhuthiniruthal'. We can start learning arts in this auspicious day. If we are continuing our classes on any art form on vijayadashami day we have to give 'Dakshina' to the Guru. It is believed that on vijayadashami day we are restarting our learnings even if it is in school or in any art. After the 'Poojayeduppu' we have to write in rice or in sand. First we have to write the 56 alphabets of Malayalam. Now most of the children doesn't know malayalam alphebets. In most of the schools Malayalam is an optional language!!!

Ayudha pooja has also an important role in Navarathri. All of the equipments and tools are kept on the side of Devi for her blessings on the day after durgashtami. There will be thorough cleaning in offices prior to pooja and distribution of sweets after the pooja.

Navarathri is truly a festival that reminds us of the devine power above all letters, arts and the technology. In Kerala Navarathri means Saraswathi pooja. Through the internet we can see different types of poojas in different states. Through this post I am thanking Miss Anuradha for a detailed description of Navarathri celbration in her home and neighbourhood. Its a great attempt to know the happenings around us and conveying them to the world. Pls have a look at her blog, amazing world of 'Golus'.

Kathakali

Most of the Kathakali performances are at night. We were lucky to see one performance on the evening of Durgashtami as part of the navarthri celebrations of Venketeshwara mandir, Thripunithura. I am very glad to have my children with me to see this wonderful art form of our state.

The term Kathakali iteself brings the rich make up of the artist. Kathakali is an ethnic art form of Kerala. Most of the stories are from the great epics Ramayana and Mahabharatha. I had seen the Keechaka vadhom and Kalyanasaugandhikam. The music behind it is known as 'Kathakali padam'. Musician uses an instrument called 'Chengila' its made of bell metal. There will be percussion instrument like Maddalam, Idakka and chenda accompanied by Ilathalam.

The artist conveys the story through mudras and his facial expressions. The magical music of Kathakali has the power to grab the mind of audience. Colourful costumes, very familiar stories and the carnatic based music made its a popular art form before the Tele vision era. It may be the most popular entertainment of that time.

Very familiar song from a Malayalam Movie 'Danger Biscuit' written by Sri Sreekumaran Thambi and music by Sri Dakshinamurthy Swamikal

'Uthara swayamvaram kathakali kanuvan uthrada rathriyil poyirunnu' a very romantic song in the back ground of Kathakali. Kathakali is performed in front of a large vilakku and it is called 'Kali vilakku' . The stage is called Kali thattu.

To view the lyrics of that magical song

Kathakali Centres of Kerala are

1. Kerala Kalamandalam, Cheruthuruthy
2. RLV College, Thripunithura
3. Unnayiwarrier smaraka Kalanilayam, Thrissur
4. PSV Natyasanghom, Kottackal
5. Gandhi Seva sadanom, Palakkad
6. Margi, Thiruvananthapuram
7. Mudra, Ernakulam
8. Cochin cultural centre, Kochi