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{{short description|Indian folk dance}}
{{Infobox dance
|name=Ninabali
|image=
|alt=
|caption=
|native_name= നിണബലി (Malayalam)
|etymology=
|genre= Ritual
|signature=
|instruments=[[Chenda]], [[Elathalam]]
|inventor=
|year=
|origin=[[Kerala]], India
}}
'''Ninabali''' is a ritualistic performing art form popular in [[Kannur district|Kannur]], [[Kozhikode district|Kozhikode]] districts of northern [[Kerala]], India. It is a folk art performed by the [[Malayan tribe|Malaya community]]. This art form, which is performed in homes as part of Hinuist [[exorcism]] ceremonies, depicts the battle between [[Bhadrakali]] and the [[asura]] [[Darika]].

== Overview ==
This folk art form is mainly popular in Kannur district and Kozhikode districts in [[North Kerala]].<ref name="Deshabhimani">{{Cite web|url=https://www.deshabhimani.com/special/news-weekendspecial-20-05-2018/725897|title=നിണബലി|access-date=2023-03-04|date=20 May 2018|publisher=[[Deshabhimani]]|language=ml|archive-date=2023-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305141111/https://www.deshabhimani.com/special/news-weekendspecial-20-05-2018/725897|url-status=live}}</ref> This art form, which is performed in homes as part of Hinuist [[exorcism]] ceremonies, depicts the battle between Hindu goddess [[Bhadrakali]] and the [[asura]] [[Darika]].<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> It is a folk art performed by the Malaya community in Kerala.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/obscurity-to-applause/article5534580.ece|title=Obscurity to applause|last=Anima|first=P|website=www.thehindu.com|publisher=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2023-03-05|archive-date=2023-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305141110/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/obscurity-to-applause/article5534580.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> People used to sponsor this ritual dance for exorcism and promote fertility.<ref name=":0" /> It is also performed by Panar community in Kerala.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title='മരണം വരെ സംഭവിക്കാവുന്ന ക്ഷുദ്രകർമവിധികൾ ഉണ്ട് മാരണത്തിൽ' |url=https://archives.mathrubhumi.com/books/excerpts/manthrika-vinjanam-book-by-dr-m-vishnu-nampoothiri-1.1863176 |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=[[Mathrubhumi]] Archives |language=ml |archive-date=2023-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305162548/https://archives.mathrubhumi.com/books/excerpts/manthrika-vinjanam-book-by-dr-m-vishnu-nampoothiri-1.1863176 |url-status=live }}</ref> The ceremony of slaughtering a chicken and sprinkling its blood is also performed as part of this.<ref name=":1" />

== Ceremony ==
A decorated [[Pandal]] is made in the cleared yard. Branches of Indian Devil tree ([[Alstonia scholaris]]) and [[Strychnine tree]] and a bunch of banana are tied to the pilIer of the pandal.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> [[Poha (rice)]], [[Puffed rice]], jaggery, tender coconut, honey, liquor, coconut etc. are placed on the banana leaf.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> In front of the house, the ceremony called ''thukaluzhichil'' begins. Its specialty is the song sung by the Malaya women in the background of traditional instruments like [[chenda]], aripara and [[elathalam]].<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> After the day-long ''thukaluzhichil'', Ninabali starts in the evening.

Actors, dancers and singers bow down facing the stage. This ceremony is known as Guru Puja (literally means worshipping the master). It is announced that there is a Ninabali ceremony, accompanied by musical instruments.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> Chenda, Aripara and Elathalam are used for this. At this time popcorn starts to be applied on Darikan's body smeared with Ninam (Red liquid made by mixing turmeric and lime, which represents blood).<ref name="Deshabhimani"/>

In the background music of Chenda, holding the curtain in front of him and with people on both sides, Darikan enters the scene with a shout. Darikan's monstrous appearance in the dim light of the [[nilavilakku]] will strike fear into the onlookers.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> As soon as the sound of the chenda and elathalam stops, Darikan enters the ninabali area with special movements after changing the curtain. Darikan begins the [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] after gazing in all directions with the fire in his hand.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> Again the instrument music starts and when it reaches its peak, Darikan rushes through the front door to the house where the ceremony is being held, and returns angrily to the scene and after making some steps and [[mudra]]s, begins the puja again.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> Darikan calls Kali to battle through the mudras by making his steps in each direction and showing the mudras in a manner reminiscent of the steps of [[Kalarippayattu]]. Darikan's entry ends in an hour.

Then [[Kali]] comes on the scene. The instrument used at this time is only Veekkan Chenda (a modification of Chenda).<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> Kali rushes to house and returns to the Ninabali scene after saluting the clan deity inside the house, showing steps and mudras. Darikan reappears as Kali goes.

As Darikan shouts, Kali jumps from the audience with a sword. Seeing Kali, the Asura steps bravely. Then Kali and Darikan start fighting and after some time Darikan hides in a small space made of banana stem. Searching for the Asura in all directions, Kali finally finds Darika and starts the battle again. A frightened Darikan runs out of the field, followed by Kali. After this ceremony which is known as 'Panjupidutam',<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> Kali symbolically kills Darika and drinks his blood.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Ninabali is a ritual art form to ward off evils |url=https://www.natyasutraonline.com/picture-gallery/kerala-folk-art-forms/ninabali/ |access-date=2023-03-05 |website=Natyasutraonline |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305141429/https://www.natyasutraonline.com/picture-gallery/kerala-folk-art-forms/ninabali |url-status=live }}</ref>

Usually, the Ninabali ceremony ends here. In the past, there was a ritual of putting silk on the body of the Darika lying in the ground and then the rebirth of the Darika. These ceremonies were known as 'Kuzhibali'.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/>

== Costume ==
Darikan's whole body is smeared with Ninam (mixture of turmeric and lime) and sprinkled with popcorn. A three-meter-long cotton cloth is tied behind the head like a bow in the front.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> Popcorn indicates smallpox.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> Darikan also has metallic fang like tooth in his mouth.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/>

Kali's appearance is similar to the female role in [[Kathakali]].<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> She wears a red dress with medals and wears a breast ornament called 'molamar'.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/> It is tied around the waist and a red silk is worn over it. Kali also holds a sword in her hand.<ref name="Deshabhimani"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Culture of Kerala}}
[[Category:Hindu rituals]]
[[Category:Ritual dances]]
[[Category:Dances of Kerala]]
[[Category:Kerala folklore]]

Ninabali - Revision history

CatharineJorgens: started a biography v1