Kaolamkali is a ritual art form practised in the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram. The venues would be kavus or shrines at villages, including those associated with ancestral homes. They are performed for God's blessings and to remove various hindrances. It is staged on the idol installation anniversary of the kavu or other special occasions.
The Kolamkali is staged by members of the Mannan community. The performers have seven days of vrutha (a way of living that involves restrictions on certain foods and other activities) prior to the performance. There would be three performers - three kolam characters and one mudi character. A fourth person would join them with a lamp. Special rituals and kalamezhuthu (colourful drawings of gods on the floor) starting from the morning. The Kolamkali will be staged in the night. There would be decorations with plantain stems at the venue.
Kolamkali artists will have makeup and ornaments like aramani and chilambu. They would hold the divine sword in their hands. The songs would be in praise of the gods of the particular shrine. Para, kinnam and thudi are the percussion instruments.
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