POOTHAMKALI
Pootham
It
is a folk art more commonly performed in the Bhagavathy temples of Malappuram.
Pootham is the character who accompanied Durga in her combat with Darika asura.
The performers, usually three in number, undergo a week of austerity before
the presentation. Colourful and intricately designed masks carved out of the
pala and murukku trees are the highlights of the attire. The fifteen minute
performance starts slowly and works up to a frenzy towards the end. The thudi
provides rhythm to the dance which is usually rendered at night.
