Cultural Archive

A journey through the cultural history of Nila river

Among Kerala's several ritual dance forms, some are well known, and others less so. It is this second space that the Theeyattu, or dance of fire, today occupies. Performed by a small community, with only a handful of Theeyattu-Unnis still practising the tradition, in many ways this is a fading dance form and sacred rite. In Episode 5 of Saga, Manu S Pillai meets two committed hereditary practitioners, Sasidhara Sarma and his son Sreejith Sarma, to discuss the Theeyattu, its e

Among the various cultural celebrations of the Mannan community, Pongal stands out as a significant and spiritually rooted annual festival. While Kalaayoottu is perhaps more well-known, Pongal carries its own weight in ritual, symbolism, and community spirit. Deeply tied to the land, the gods, and the lineage of clans, the festival serves as a religious observance, reaffirming the identity and unity within the Mannan society. Mannan community memebers gathered at Chinnar for

In Kerala, Mannan community comes together each year to celebrate Kalaavoottu — also known as Kalaayoottu — a vibrant festival that blends age-old traditions, traditional music, dance, and rituals. Held during the Malayalam months of Makaram and Kumbham, this celebration is much more than just a festival — it’s a time of remembrance, gratitude, and renewal. The name Kalaavoottu is derived from the words Kaalam (meaning a year or season) and Oottu (meaning feast), it symbolize

Among the many rich and diverse traditions of Mannan community of Kerala, Payayil Iruthal (also Payel Iruthal) stands out as a deeply humane and spiritually resonant mourning ritual. This unique practice honours the memory of a deceased spouse and provides the surviving partner a sacred space for remembrance, grief, and eventual healing. A Ritual Spanning 7 long days Payayil Iruthal is traditionally observed for three consecutive years following the death of an individual. Ea