Origin of Seethakali
The Seethakali is a unique and flamboyant folk art form. This is a centuries-old folk-art form that has been originated at Perinad in Kollam district-Kerala.
This art form was first performed some 150 years back by people from the Vedar and Pulayar communities of Kerala.
This art form is based on certain episodes from the Indian epic Ramayana. Mythic characters such as Rama, Seetha, Ravana, and Hanuman come alive in Seethakali performances that portray the tale of Seetha’s journey, from the time she accompanied Rama to the woods to her ascent to the heavens.
Like the name, Seethakali is based on the life of the mythic character of Goddess Sita from Ramayana.
In early times, It was performed as part of the harvest festival Onam. From Atham star till the 28th day after Onam, the performers who belong to the subaltern communities go from one house to another performing this art.
The props and instruments used during performances are all made of natural materials like bamboo and palm leaves. The characters of Rama and Laxmana appear in green since the colour is used to represent gods and goddesses in Kathakali.
Name of the performing group
Perinad Seethakali Sangham is the sole officially recognised Seethakali performing ensemble in Kerala at the moment. The ensemble belonged to the Kerala Folklore Akademi as of October 2018. The Akademi has been instrumental in the resurgence of this once-extinct, uniquely Keralan art style.
In 2020, T N Shajimon wins the Kerala Folklore Akademi award for reviving Seethakali, a female-oriented Dalit narrative of the Ramayana. He filmed a documentary named- Seethakali desinganadinte Dalit Ramayana(40 min film)
Seethakali’s performances are both a means of re-discovering the artistic roots of God’s Own Country and a wonderful way of exhibiting her cultural and environmental opulence to the outside world.
