Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.3210
Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.3210
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c9.3210
This folk drama is a colourful pageant devoted to gods. Its artistic value is worth noticing. This is known by different names like ‘Tira’, ‘Teyya’and ‘Kaliyāṭṭam’. ‘Tira’ in ancient language means ‘daivadarśana’ (sight of gods) ‘Teyya’ is the corrupt form of ‘daiva’. Tirayāṭṭam is a visible amusement where actors appear dressed as gods. Because the actors dance in the dresses of gods, this is called devāṭṭam also. Teyyāṭṭam is the distorted form of devāṭṭam. Because this is both a Kali (play) and an āṭṭam (dance) this is called Kaliyāṭṭam also.