Kalamezhuthu Art

Similar to the Alponas of Bengal and the Aipans of Kumaon, a unique floor art form exists in Kerala- Kalamezhuthu. This art plays a significant role in religious duties and ceremonies and is directly linked to religion and rituals of Kerala. The size of a Kalamezhuthu is dependent on Vastu-Shastra, the scale of the event, etc. but on average, they measure about 10 feet but can go up to 20 feet or more. 

Legend varies as to the birth of this amazing art form. One version says that Murugan, son of Lord Shiva drew it first, a fierce form of Shakthi. Another legend tells about Kali the destroyer of the Asura brothers Dharukan and Dhanavendran. The Asuras underwent extreme penances and were granted the boon that they wouldn’t be vanquished by any man and also that every drop of blood spilt on earth will give birth to hundreds of further Asuras. Emboldened by these wishes they wrecked havoc in all the three worlds. When this was communicated to Lord Shiva he opened his third eye and created the fierce ‘Bhadrakali’ an incarnation of Sathidevi. Kali with her army went and fought the Asuras. Since she was a woman she could kill them and whenever Asura's blood was split she drank it before it fell to the earth. Thus she vanquished them. Narada went to Kailas, the abode of Lord Shiva and recounted the victorious battle between Kali and the Asuras. While describing he drew her terrifying form to illustrate the events and thus the Kalamezhuthu was born.

Like all art forms, Kalamezhuthu art has certain regional variations, such as Kalam Pattu in the northern parts of Kerala and Kalamezhuthu Pattu in the south, Dhumakkali in Thrissur and the central regions, and Kalam Karuppai in Tamil Nadu. It is also called Dhulee Chitram (an image made of powder). The designs are slightly different in different regions, but the rituals and beliefs surrounding them are the same. Deities like Bhagavati, Kali and Ayappa occupy the central place in kalamezhuthu. The ritualistic art is accompanied by a chant sung for about 15 minutes before beginning the drawing.

In the making of Kalamezhuthu, first, the artist prepares the surface of the floor with a mixture of rice powder and cow dung. They start the kalam by drawing a straight line from east to west. They then begin to create outlines using white rice powder. The entire process can take anywhere between two to five hours.  The artist completes the entire image before painting the eyes of the deity. This is because the people of Kerala believe that the deity comes to life once their eyes are ‘opened’.

The entire painting process is done by hand, with the exception of a few designs. The artist may use bamboo or coconut fibre brushes to paint certain elements, but only when it is absolutely necessary. Usually, a Kalamezhuthu is created using only five colors (Panchavarnam). These colors were traditionally derived from natural pigments and represent the Pancha Bhoota, or the five elements of nature, namely Prithvi, Vaayu, Aakasam, Aapam, and Theijes. Yellow represents earth, or prithvi; green symbolizes air (Vaayu); white represents water (Aapam); black represents space or the cosmos (Aakasam); and red represents fire, or Theijes.

Kalamezhuthu requires a lot of concentration, as it must be drawn according to religious guidelines. It is drawn to invoke the blessings of the deity and create a positive atmosphere. A single mistake could spoil the entire kalam. The patterns to be drawn are also dictated by occasion and not chosen at the discretion of the artist. The painting starts at a fixed time and is erased once the rituals have ended.