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[[File:Theyyam neeliyar bhagavathi 4.jpg|Neeliyar Bhagavathi|thumb|right|300px]]<br />
'''Neeliyar Bhagavathi''' is a [[Theyyam]] ritual conducted in the northern part of [[Kerala]], [[India]]. The term Neeliyar Bhagavathi refers to the goddess of the Mangattuparamba Neeliyar temple; the ritual is mainly performed in this temple. This Theyyam is usually performed in the evening, during sunset. The goddess Neeliyar Bhagavathi has temples dedicated to her in different parts of Kannur including [[Cherukunnu]], Eranjikkal, Mathamangala, etc. This particular Theyyam is performed by the [[Vannan]] caste. A few musical instruments, like [[Chenda]] are used during the performance.<br />
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== About ==<br />
Theyyam rituals in northern Kerala usually begin in the month Thulam of the Malayalam calendar and end by Edavapathy month, after the Theyyam performance of [[Kalarivathukkal Bhagavathy Temple|Kalarivatukkal Bhagavathi]] at Valapattanam Kalarivathukkal temple. However, Neeliyar Bhagavathi Theyyam is conducted throughout the year. During Karkidaka month - from the 2nd day to the 16th day - this Theyyam is not performed, as it is believed that during this time the goddess is away in [[Kottiyoor]]. Families who do not have children, as well as those awaiting marriage, pray at this temple. Once their wishes are fulfilled, or in order for their wishes to be fulfilled, they conduct a Theyyam at the temple.<br />
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== Legend ==<br />
The legend behind Neeliyar Bhagavathi is intricate and ancient.<br />
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According to legend, in Kottiyoor, Kannur, there was once a lower-caste woman called Neeli who was extremely beautiful and intelligent. She was killed by the local ruler. Upon her death, Neeli became the Goddess Neeliyar Bhagavathi. When she was alive, Neeli lived near a sandbank. After her death, whenever travellers came near the river next to this place, Neeliyar Bhagavathi would ask them whether they needed oil and a thaali leaf (used in the place of soap in ancient time) before their bath. Whoever said yes and went near her was captured, whereupon the Goddess Neeliyar Bhagavathi would suck their blood. No one who went near the river ever returned home. Once, a personal called Kalakkad Namboothiri went there for a bath, and saw Neeliyar Bhagavathi. The Goddess asked him his name; he replied saying he was Kalakkad; and the Goddess told him that she was Kali. She then gave him oil and a thaali leaf. Kalakkad drank the oil and thaali juice saying that it was Amruthu (nectar) given to him by his mother. On seeing this, the Goddess was very happy that he called him mother, and so she spared his life, and furthermore accompanied him on his way to the west. Neeliyar Bhagavathi then revealed that she was a Goddess, and said she would like to reside in a temple where the tiger and cow live together peacefully. On their journey, Kalakkad Nambhoothiri saw a cow and tiger co-existing in Mangattuparambu, and so he put down his umbrella (made from the leaves of a palm tree) and rested there. The Goddess was accompanying him by riding atop the umbrella, and decided to stay at the place. Kalakkad Nambhoothiri subsequently set up a temple for the Goddess at the spot.<ref>Interview with Kalyani of Ozhakrom (2011) <!--copyvio link snipped--></ref><ref>Interview with PV Knjiraman of Amsham Tthrachambaram in Thaliparambu (2011) <!--copyvio link snipped--></ref><br />
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However, M. V. Vishnu Nambuthiri, who is a scholar of Kerala folklore in general and the Theyyam ritual in particular, suggests that this story is not an official part of any of the folk songs about Neeliyar Bhagavathi herself.<ref>Interview with Vishnu Nambuthiri (2011) <!--copyvio link snipped--></ref><br />
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== Costume ==<br />
[[File:Neeliyarbhagavathi 1.jpg|Starting face painting|thumb|300px|right]]<br />
The Neeliyar Bhagavathi Theyyam is very similar to the Valiya Thampuratty Theyyam, a ritual form that is quite famous in other parts of Kannur. The face-painting and long crown is almost identical in both the Theyyams.<br />
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People from [[Vannan]] caste typically have the privilege of performing this Theyyam. Further, only Vannan people who have the honour of ''Karakkaattidam Nayanar'' perform this ritual. In the present time, among the main performers of this Theyyam are the Mangattuparambu Neeliyar Kaavil Daasan and Ravi.<br />
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== Gallery ==<br />
<gallery><br />
File:Neeliyar Bhagavathi Theyyam9.jpg|The spot where Theyyam is performed<br />
File:Theyyam neeliyar bhagavathi 3.jpg| The performance<br />
File:Theyyam neeliyar bhagavathi 1.jpg|Face-painting<br />
File:Neeliyarbhagavathi2.jpg| Face-painting<br />
File:Neeliyarbhagavathi4.jpg|Walking from the preparation room to the performance ground<br />
File:Neeliyarbhagavathi5.jpg|Final touches<br />
File:Neeliyar bhagavathi6.jpg|Before the hair is worn<br />
File:Neeliyarbhagavathi7.jpg|To the stage<br />
File:Neeliyar bhagavathi8.jpg|On the stage<br />
File:Neeliyarbhagavathi3.jpg|Neeliyar Bhagavathi face-painting<br />
File:Theyyam neeliyar bhagavathi 2.jpg|Neeliyar Bhagavathi<br />
File:Neeliyarbhagavathi9.jpg|Neeliyar Bhagavathi<br />
</gallery><br />
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== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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[[Category:Theyyam]]</div>imported>Dl2000