The 11th century Sree Vallabha temple at Thiruvalla is home for a unique offering, where devotees worship the presiding deity by arranging a staging of Kathakali.
Deemed as one among the 108 Tirupatis in the country, this Vaishnava temple is a place of worship where Kathakali is a daily affair. It has become part of the custom and the tradition at the temple for the past three centuries, according to Manoj S. Nair, renowned Vasthu expert who has done research on the temple history. Legend says that Kathakali as a daily offering began at the temple at the time of the great saint Vilvamangalathu Swamiyar.
Kathakali lovers from different parts of the State and abroad visit the temple to enjoy the art form.
The performance is held at the Eastern Mandapam attached to the Chuttambalam after the Athazhapuja. A peetom (seat), with nirapara and nilavilakku in front of it, is kept in front of the kalimantapam (stage) and devotees consider it as the seat of the presiding deity who comes to watch Kathakali, after accepting the Athazhapuja.
The Kathakali connoisseurs in the region had recently relished a new choreography, Mookambika Mahatmyam , depicting the story of Goddess Aadi Parasakthi and her slaying of the demon Kamhasura alias Mookaasura. Veteran Kathakali actor Fact Mohan played the role of Aadi Pasrasakthi and Nelliyodu Vasudevan Namboodiri played Kamhasura. Varanasi Madhu gave life to the role of Sankaracharya.
The role of Indra was perfected by Kalamandalam Raveendranatha Pai and Kalamandalam Yashvant played the role of Lord Siva. The Kathakali was authored by Ganesh Neelakanta Iyer.
Sree Vallabha temple is a place of worship where Kathakali is a daily affair.
