In
this Blog, you have read about different versions of sometimes the same tale,
myth, etc. Earlier, we have read about different versions of the epic Ramayan
(http://www.utkarshspeak.blogspot.in/2011/12/part-1-ramayanas-from-south-india.html, http://www.utkarshspeak.blogspot.in/2011/12/part-2-ramayana-from-jain-texts.html, http://www.utkarshspeak.blogspot.in/search/label/Ramkien, http://www.utkarshspeak.blogspot.in/2011/12/part-4-ramayana-tribal-version.html). In bits and pieces, we have also read about different episodes of
Mahabharat, which have been from different versions, especially regional
versions of the Mahabharat. It is interesting to note how regional aspects,
like identity, behavioural and moral codes have shaped the narrative and even
created new heroes or focussed on unsung heroes from the original text of
Vyasa.
Mahabharata
in Kerala too has its regional version and some aspects are a far cry from the
original. What is interesting is that some of the episodes are part of the
present day enactment in a number of dance forms of Kerala like the Kathakali,
Theyyam, etc. While, I must add that the entire version is worth reading as it
is extremely colourful and interesting, we will focus on only one aspect of the
difference from the original text by Vyasa, and that is the act of Nilalkkuttu or shadow-piercing by abhicara, i.e. use of black magic. At the onset, let me thank both Mr. A.
Purushothaman and Mr. A. Harindranath, who have been studying this aspect very
closely, for sharing details with me on the subject as well as allowing me to
use photographs from their personal collection.
While there are different versions
of abhicara in different versions of
the Malayalam Mahabharat, we will only discuss a couple of them, which are till
date enacted in different dance forms across the state, besides being a part of
certain rituals in some temples in Kerala. While there are some common elements
amongst the different versions, the difference does make interesting reading.
It is important to mention here that the rituals that are performed as part of
the ritual enactment of the myths from the epic, are generally enacted by Malayas, Velas, Mavilas, Koppalas, and Pulayas,
etc. who are part of the aboriginal groups of Kerala and the adjoining regions.
At the Ambalapuzha Srikrishnaswamy Temple, a ritual
called Panthrandu Kalabham is
performed during 1st to 12th of the Malayalam month of Makaram (December - January) every year. After every 12 years, the
ritual called Pallippana (palli is divine and pana is song; Pallippana
is divine song) is performed at the temple. The ritual of Pallippana consists
of two main rituals, Oattu, performed by the Velans during the day and
Muroattu, which is performed by the Velathis during the night.
We
will not go into the details of the ritual enactment, but will focus on the
legends behind the rituals. One of the legends says that the Pallippana was
first performed by Lord Shiva. Once due to excessive work pressure, Lord Vishnu
fell unconscious. Subramanya, the god of Astrology, suggested that Pallippana
be performed to revive and rejuvenate Vishnu and same had to be done by a Velan.
The world was searched for a Velan but none could be found. It was then that
Lord Shiva took the form of a Velan and Parvathi as the Velathi and performed
the first Pallippana and revived Lord Vishnu.
In
the ritual of Pallippana, the Muroattu is more important which is performed by
the Velathis. The legend behind this is as follows –
Bharata
Malayi a servant of the Pandavas was worried that her husband, Bharata Malayan
was gone for too long and had not returned home. She decides to step out along
with her son to look for her husband. On the way, she sees him coming with a
large bundle which was full of gifts. When Malayi enquired about the gifts, he
said that he had got the gifts from his masters (Kauravas) who had got together
with her masters (Pandavas) for a hunt. Malayi not satisfied with the answer,
further inquired if there was any death in the ritual, to which he replied that
five stags and two deer were killed.
Malayi
immediately understood that her husband had shadow-pierced the five Pandavs along
with Kunti and Draupadi. She was angry with him as he had earlier pledged to
her that he would never harm the Pandavs, her masters and she to his masters
and this pledge was broken by Malayan. Malayi insists on doing the counter abhicara to revive her masters. Malayan
tried to dissuade her by showing her a diamond necklace which he had received
as a gift. An angry Malayi threw it away. Their son also tried to dissuade her,
which further infuriated Malayi, as she felt that the son was like the father.
She killed their son in anger. She then recited the counter- abhicara mantras and invoked the gods.
 |
| Malayi killing her son (Kathakali) |
The
gods appeared and asked her what she wanted. Malayi asked for all those things
that she needed to perform Pallippana, which were none other than the ones that
Lord Shiva had used to perform the first Pallippana. The gods were pleased with
her and gave her all the items that she had asked for, with the help of which
Malayi revived the Pandavas and Draupadi and Kunti.
It
is interesting to note that the entire performance is conducted by an
aboriginal group and the main act is performed by the women. Here the woman is
serving the righteous and also revives them when they were wrongfully killed by
her husband in return for material gifts. She doesn’t even think twice before
killing her own son, for taking the side of the wrong/evil. The first
performance of the ritual having been done by Lord Shiva, lends a sense of
credence and divinity to the later and modern day performers, even if they are
an aboriginal group and probably marginalised in the modern times.
The
Panthrandu Kalabham is performed every year to rid the idol
of impurities and weakening of its powers with time and sometimes due to the
rituals not performed in accordance to the laid down norms. A deity which is
not powerful cannot shower effective blessings and such rituals enable the
deity to regain its diminished or lost power.
Next we will go through a slightly different version on the
above. Keep reading……
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