Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.3212

c9.3212

This is done on the night of the first day. The second programme is to exhibit the vellāṭṭukolam which will be done on the second day evening. An indication of this is given on the first night itself. The programme of the second day begins with a dance called Velakkali. On that day there will be worshipping of gods at intervals. The Vellāṭṭukolam begins by five in the evening. The chief actor will present himself before the public in the colourful robes of a god and will begin to dance to the accompaniment of drums and music. As the dance and music continues even those without dresses would start dancing. Gradually sounds of pop-guns and instrumental will rend the air. The chief dancer after dancing for some-time would place a stool before the temple and spread a white cloth on it. Then the dancer would sit in meditation and do the ceremony called ‘calling the gods’. He would then pray to the gods to bless the function and appear at the zodiacal sign of Virgin. The dance and music start again. Then the people assembled would throw rice and flower into the cloth on the stool. The dancer-god holds a weapon in his hand and changes it often making huge uproars. Then after finishing the ceremonies like Kāvūṭṭu and Arulappāṭu, the Vellāṭṭakkāran retires. Then another actor in the dress of another god appears as Vellāṭṭakkāran and repeats the programme of his predecessor. Because the dance (āṭṭam) is done before a white(vella) cloth the dance is called Vellāṭṭam.