Pookuttichathan Thira is a ritualistic art form of
Mahe in
Pondicherry. It is performed in the Chalora Illam of
Quilandy, near
Kozhikode. This art was contributed to Mahe by Tholan Mooppan, the renowned uncle of the Puthalam family. It is performed at Puthalam in Mahe on 8th March, every year.
Myth beyond the art is that, Pookuttichathan was born to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi during their incarnation as Valluvas. The infant was gifted to Kalakot Nambudiri, who was praying for a child. Once during the childhood, the naughty Pookuttichathan quenched his thirst with the blood of a bullock which belonged to the Illam. The Nambudiri became angry and he cut the child into 390 pieces and offered it into the ‘homa’. Out of that homa hundreds of chathan were born and one among them was Pookuttichathan.
The main attractions of this art are the Vallattam and Meethu. Fantastic crown and typical kind of dancing attractive facial writings adorn the art.
[Source all india (80) 11-Apr-05]
