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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{short description|Indian folk dance}}<br />
{{Redirect|Valliyamma|goddess known as Valliyamman|Valli}}<br />
{{Infobox dance<br />
| name = Devakkoothu<br />
| image = <br />
| alt = <br />
| caption = <br />
| native_name = {{lang|ml|ദേവക്കൂത്ത്}}<br />
| etymology = <br />
| genre = Ritual dance<br />
| signature = <br />
| instruments = <br />
| inventor = <br />
| year = <br />
| origin = [[Kerala]], India<br />
}}<br />
{{Infobox deity<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Hindu mythology--><br />
| type = Hindu<br />
| image = <br />
| caption = <br />
| name = Valliyamma<br />
| god_of = <br />
| affiliation = [[Hinduism]]<br />
| mantra = <br />
| weapon = <br />
| consort = <br />
| children = <br />
| abode = <br />
| mount = <br />
| spouse = <br />
| region = [[North Malabar]], [[Kerala]], India<br />
}}<br />
'''Devakkoothu''' also spelled as '''Devakoothu''' is a ritualistic dance performed in [[Kerala]], India. It is the only [[theyyam]] performed by a woman. This theyyam is performed in the temple Tekumpad Koolom Thayakav near [[Cherukunnu]] in [[Kannur district]]. The goddess associated with Devakkoothu is called '''Valliyamma''' because she stayed at a forest of creepers, according to myths. Devakkoothu is performed once in two years.<br />
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==Overview==<br />
Devakkoothu is a theyyam performed in the temple Tekumpad Koolom Thayakav near [[Cherukunnu]] in [[Kannur district]] of Kerala.<ref name="times">{{cite news |title=Woman theyyam tells tale of a lost ‘devatha’ |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/woman-theyyam-tells-tale-of-a-lost-devatha/articleshow/67200644.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=22 December 2018 |access-date=12 April 2023 |archive-date=23 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423152656/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/woman-theyyam-tells-tale-of-a-lost-devatha/articleshow/67200644.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Even the Theyyams of female deities are generally performed by men, Devakkoothu is the only theyyam performed by a woman.<ref name="ManoramaOnline">{{cite news |last1=dhanesh |first1=asokan |title=പെണ്ണുടലിലാടുന്ന ദേവക്കൂത്ത്... |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/news/sunday/2023/01/08/devakooth-photo-story.html |work=ManoramaOnline |publisher=[[Malayala Manorama]] |language=ml |access-date=2023-04-12 |archive-date=2023-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412050737/https://www.manoramaonline.com/news/sunday/2023/01/08/devakooth-photo-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="times"/> The entire performance is based on the narration of the myth related to the goddess who lost in the creepers. Devakkoothu is performed once in two years, on fifth day of [[Malayalam calendar|Malayalam month]] of [[Dhanu (month)|Dhanu]] (December).<ref name="ManoramaOnline"/><br />
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==Myth==<br />
One day, while traveling through the [[Devaloka]], a group of goddess saw a place on earth full of beautiful flowers among creepers.<ref name="keralasabdam">{{cite web |last1=pradeep |first1=ushas |title=ദേവക്കൂത്ത് തെയ്യ വേഷമണിയുന്ന ഏക മഹിള |url=https://www.keralasabdam.in/news/devkooth-ambhujakshi/ |website=www.keralasabdam.in |language=ml |access-date=2023-04-12 |archive-date=2023-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412052214/https://www.keralasabdam.in/news/devkooth-ambhujakshi/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They left the Devaloka to pick those flowers from that jungle-like place full of creepers and intoxicatingly fragrant flowers. They picked them all together and walked there merrily. Meanwhile, a goddess lost inside the creepers. Without knowing this, others returned to the Devaloka. The goddess was in a difficult situation, not knowing what to do. Then the villager who came there, rescued her from among the vines, and kept in a hut safely.<ref name="keralasabdam"/><br />
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The goddess did not even have a change of clothes and cried and prayed to [[Narada]], and hearing this prayer, he came with [[kohl (cosmetics)|kohl]], a mirror and dress for her, and took the deity first to Tayakav and then to Koolom.<ref name="newswings">{{cite news |title=ദേവക്കൂത്ത്; സ്ത്രീകള് കെട്ടിയാടുന്ന ഏക തെയ്യം - |url=https://www.newswings.online/2018/12/devakkooth-theyyam-story/ |date=18 December 2018 |access-date=12 April 2023 |archive-date=12 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412074446/https://www.newswings.online/2018/12/devakkooth-theyyam-story/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It is said that a temporary [[pandal]] was made in Koolom with coconut leaves and the deity changed her clothes from there, then crossed the Thekkumpad river in a canoe and reached the Ayiram theng Valluvan river shore, and from there went back to the Devaloka.<ref name="newswings"/><br />
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But even after returning to the Deva world, those green land, humans and safe experiences of the earth remained in Valliyamma's memory.<ref name="Asianet">{{cite news |title=തെയ്യപ്രപഞ്ചത്തിലെ ഏക പെണ്ണുടല്, ഇതാ വള്ളിയമ്മയും ദേവക്കൂത്തും! |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/culture-magazine/the-interesting-story-of-the-only-theyyam-performance-by-woman-named-devakoothu-ro0at7 |work=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |publisher=[[Asianet News]] |language=ml |access-date=2023-04-12 |archive-date=2023-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412072705/https://www.asianetnews.com/culture-magazine/the-interesting-story-of-the-only-theyyam-performance-by-woman-named-devakoothu-ro0at7 |url-status=live }}</ref> So she decided to go down to the earth and meet the people every alternate year.<ref name="Asianet"/> Once in two years on the 5th of Dhanu month, Valliamma returns to the island to meet and bless people.<ref name="Asianet"/> This is the myth behind Devakkoothu.<br />
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==Theyyam==<br />
The theyyam of goddess is called Valliyamma because she stayed at a forest of creepers (Valli in [[Malayalam]]).<ref name="newswings"/><ref name="Asianet"/> Another character in the theyyam performance is Narada. Only non-menstruating women have the right to perform the role of Valliyamma in Devakkoothu.<ref name="keralasabdam"/> After observing [[Vrata]] for 41 days, The woman who perform leaves her house to temple. The Vratas are as mentioned in the basic ritual text named 'Pallimala'.<ref name="keralasabdam"/> It include vegetarian food and staying in the [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] room for 41 days chanting sacred books.<ref name="keralasabdam"/><ref name="ManoramaOnline"/><br />
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Though theyam is on Dhanu 5th, the woman who perform will leave home on Dhanu 3rd along with her female entourage.<ref name="keralasabdam"/> during this journey she carries Pallimala, the main text of the Devakkoothu, and a plate filled with rice and flowers.<ref name="keralasabdam"/> This journey is to Valluvan river shore. The temple authorities will be waiting there with a raft. The raft is made by tying two boats together and spreading planks.<ref name="keralasabdam"/> This journey is to the ancestral home of Valluvakurup. There flowers will be sprinkled on the way to home, to welcome her.<ref name="keralasabdam"/> At night she will be taken to the temple accompanied by [[thalappoli]] and musical instruments.<ref name="keralasabdam"/><br />
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A 'koochil' (a [[pandal]]) is made of coconut leaves in the temple.<ref name="Asianet"/> In the [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] room prepared inside that pandal, she should stay till the day of Devakoothu with prayers.<ref name="keralasabdam"/> On Dhanu fifth, she wakes up early in the morning at five o'clock and after the spiritual rituals, the facial makeup begins.<ref name="keralasabdam"/> After makeup and costumes, accompanied by a soft [[chenda]] rhythm, the Valliyamma performer arrives to performing area hiding herself behind a red curtain held by two women.<ref name="newswings"/><br />
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Valliamma has all the amenities for normal theyyams. Valliamma's main costumes are a turban with 21 stones on the head, a cap, [[ghungroo]] and [[anklet|padasaram]].<ref name="newswings"/> There will be face art.<br />
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When the performer reaches the stage, she will first sing songs to praises of Lord [[Ganesha]]. Then she step with the rhythmic song. All stories from the myth, including picking flowers from the garden with the friends and lost inside the creepers will be beautifully acted.<ref name="Asianet"/> Finally, Narada will enter the arena with new clothes.<ref name="Asianet"/> After the Theyyam, rice is served as [[Prasada]] to the devotees.<ref name="Asianet"/><br />
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==History==<br />
The Devakkoothu is believed to be as old as the [[Chirakkal dynasty]].<ref name="newswings"/><ref name="Asianet"/> It was dormant for a long time but was revived in 1985–86.<ref name="newswings"/><br />
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Before 2012, this Theyyam was performed for 14 years by Lakshmi Amma, wife of Matai Kelu Panikar and since 2012, it is performed by K.P. Ambujakshi.<ref>{{cite news |last1=sudhakaran |first1=p |title=This year, Devakoothu gets a new face |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/this-year-devakoothu-gets-a-new-face/articleshow/17735370.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=23 December 2012 |access-date=12 April 2023 |archive-date=19 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419153733/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/this-year-devakoothu-gets-a-new-face/articleshow/17735370.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
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==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
{{culture of Kerala}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Hindu rituals]]<br />
[[Category:Ritual dances]]<br />
[[Category:Dances of Kerala]]<br />
[[Category:Regional Hindu goddesses]]<br />
[[Category:Theyyam]]<br />
[[Category:Kerala folklore]]<br />
[[Category:Hindu folk deities]]<br />
[[Category:Mother goddesses]]</div>Alphadelta