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{{short description|Indian folk dance}}
{{Infobox dance
|name=Malapulayattam
|image=File:Malappulayattam.jpg
|alt= Chikk attam
|caption=Malapulayattam performance
|native_name= മലപ്പുലയാട്ടം (Malayalam)
|etymology=
|genre= Ritual
|signature=
|instruments= tribal instruments like chik vadyam, kitimitti, kuzhal, kattavadyam, urumi etc.
|inventor=
|year=
|origin=[[Kerala]], India
}}
'''Malapulayattam''' also known as '''Chikk Attam''' is a tribal dance performed by the Malapulayan [[Tribals in Kerala|tribals]] of [[Idukki district]] in [[Kerala]], as part of worshiping the deities [[Mariamman]], [[Kali Amman|Kaliyamman]] and [[Meenakshi]] in their caste-related festivals.

This ritualistic dance is also performed in public spaces outside Idukki as part of public programs and tribal festivals.

==Overview==
Malappulyars are a tribal community living in [[Marayur]], [[Idukki district]] in [[Kerala]].<ref name="keralaculture">{{cite web |title=മലപ്പുലയാട്ടം {{!}} Malayapulayattam |url=http://www.keralaculture.org/malayalam/malayapulayattam/660 |website=keralaculture.org |date=11 August 2019 |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=11 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811173229/http://www.keralaculture.org/malayalam/malayapulayattam/660 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref name="etv">{{cite news |title=പാട്ടില്ലാതെ താളവും ചുവടുകളും മൂന്നാറില്‍ നവ്യാനുഭവമായി മലപ്പുലയാട്ടം |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/malayalam/kerala/videos/other-videos/idukki-adivasi-dance-malappulayattam/kerala20220627073650112112266 |work=ETV Bharat News |agency=[[ETV Network]] |language=ml |access-date=2023-04-13 |archive-date=2023-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413063215/https://www.etvbharat.com/malayalam/kerala/videos/other-videos/idukki-adivasi-dance-malappulayattam/kerala20220627073650112112266 |url-status=live }}</ref> They are immigrants from [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref name="keralaculture"/> Their worship idols are deities like [[Mariamman]], [[Kali Amman|Kaliyamman]] and [[Meenakshi]].<ref name="keralaculture"/> Malappulayattam is a tribal dance form performed as part of worshiping the deities in their caste-related festivals.<ref name="keralaculture"/>

There is a festival held in the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil month]] of [[Chaitra|Chithirai]] in connection with the Mariyamman temple in Malapulayan tribal area.<ref name="Deshabhimani">{{cite news |title=ചലനത്തിന്റെ ചാരുതയില്‍ മലപ്പുലയാട്ടം |url=https://www.deshabhimani.com/news/kerala/news-idukkikerala-06-05-2017/641865 |work=[[Deshabhimani]] |language=ml |access-date=2023-04-13 |archive-date=2023-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413061248/https://www.deshabhimani.com/news/kerala/news-idukkikerala-06-05-2017/641865 |url-status=live }}</ref> Malapulayattam is mainly held as a part of this.

Malapulaya people also perform Malapulayattam or Chik Attam at all important events in their daily life including marriage, birth and even death and girl child's first menstruation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2014-05-11 |title=ആദിവാസിക്കുടികളില്‍ ചിക്ക് ആട്ടവിശേഷം, Kerala - Mathrubhumi |url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/idukki/news/2910906-local_news-idukki.html |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=mathrubhumi.com |publisher=[[Mathrubhumi]] |archive-date=2014-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511011358/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/idukki/news/2910906-local_news-idukki.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Only death has a different rhythm.<ref name=":0" /> Malapulayattam is a very physically demanding folk dance.<ref name="keralaculture"/>

This ritualistic tribal dance is also performed in public spaces outside Idukki as part of public programs and tribal festivals.<ref name="etv"/><ref name="Keralakaumudi">{{cite news |title=അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര ആദിവാസി ദിനാചരണം നാളെ |url=https://keralakaumudi.com/news/news.php?id=877630 |work=[[Kerala Kaumudi]] |language=en |access-date=2023-04-13 |archive-date=2023-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413063217/https://keralakaumudi.com/news/news.php?id=877630 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=പരമ്പരാഗത നൃത്തം ആസ്വദിക്കാൻ അനന്തപുരിക്ക് ഇന്ന് അത്യപൂർവ അവസരം {{!}} I&PRD : Official Website of Information Public Relations Department of Kerala |url=https://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/index.php/ml/node/32075 |website=www.prd.kerala.gov.in |access-date=2023-04-13 |archive-date=2023-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413063218/https://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/index.php/ml/node/32075 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Dance==
In Malappulayattam, everyone, including the elderly and the disabled, of the tribal colony, together steps in front of their clan deity.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> Males and females will step together in traditional attire.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> The dance is not supported by vocal singing.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> Both men and women dance together and dancers change frequently.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> Watchers later become dancers and dancers become watchers.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/>

Dancers move their bodies forward and backward from a circle.<ref name="etv"/> The pace of the dance will also increase according to the pace of rhythms.<ref name="etv"/>

==Instruments==
Tribal musical instruments such as chik vadyam, kitimitti, kuzhal, kattavadyam, urumi etc. are used for rhythm.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date= |title=മലപ്പുലയ ആട്ടം ദേശീയ ശ്രദ്ധയിൽ; ട്രൈബൽ ഡാൻസ് ഫെസ്റ്റിൽ മലപ്പുലയ ആട്ടത്തിന് അംഗീകാരം |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/district-news/idukki/2022/06/24/idukki-tribal-dance-festival-malappulaya-attam.html |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=ManoramaOnline |publisher=[[Malayala Manorama]] |language=ml |archive-date=2023-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416175258/https://www.manoramaonline.com/district-news/idukki/2022/06/24/idukki-tribal-dance-festival-malappulaya-attam.html |url-status=live }}</ref> While dancing, they do not sing any songs, instead they dance in a circle to the rhythm of musical instruments.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=പട്ടിക വർഗ്ഗ കലാരൂപങ്ങൾ, കലാസമിതികൾ, കലാകാരന്മാർ, കരകൗശലവിദഗ്ദ്ധർ (Schedule caste art forms, art societies, artists and artisans) |last=KIRTADS|first=Adikalakendram|publisher=Kerala institute for Research Training & Development studies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|year=2013|location=Kozhikode |page=11}}</ref>

== Noted performances ==
In the 2022 national level tribal dance fest held in [[Visakhapatnam]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], which featured tribal dances from 19 states of India, the official group of Kerala, Malappalaya Dance Group from Kummittamkuzhi, Marayur, won the best team award.<ref name=":2" />

==See also==

* [[Irula Nritham]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Culture of Kerala}}

[[Category:Hindu rituals]]
[[Category:Ritual dances]]
[[Category:Dances of Kerala]]
[[Category:Kerala folklore]]
[[Category:Folk dances of Kerala]]

Malapulayattam - Revision history

Blackandwhitelegal: adding some entry w/ infobox