Kerala is known for its contribution in the field of intangible cultural heritage. It is one of the few states that continues to preserve the ancient sanskrit theatre art forms of Kutiyattam and Kathakali.

Mudiyettu, an ancient ritual dance drama of Kerala derives its name from two Malayalam words, Mudi (hair) and Ettu (wear). It was inscribed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in the year 2010 and is the second art form from the state to be inscribed in this list.

Mudiyettu is performed in the Bhagavathi Kavu (Devi Temples) of Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur and Kottayam districts of Kerala. Villages with Bhagavathi Kavu perform the rituals associated with Mudiyettu in order to please the deity and rejuvenate the community. All members of the community participate in large numbers.

There are a series of rituals prior to the performance that set the stage for the fierce dance drama to begin. The rituals begin with the Kalamezhuthu or the pictorial depiction of Goddess Kali on the floor, made using colours. Kalam is primarily a composition of five colours, black, red, white, yellow and green. Made inside the temple compound, the Kalamezhuthu is followed by songs called Kalam Pattu sung in praise of the Goddess. Kalam Pattu is accompanied by percussion instruments prevalent in Kerala such as chenda (drums), idakka,  pampu (pipes) and ithalam. After the prayers, the Kalam is rubbed off using tender coconut leaves. This is followed by the Vilakku Vaipu (lighting of the lamp) in the performance area and the kelikottu (beating of the drums) as an indication that the performance is about to begin.

Unlike other art forms, Mudiyettu is based solely on the renowned mythological tale of the battle between Goddess Bhadrakali or Kali and Darika, the demon King. The performance commences with sage Narada pleading to Lord Shiva to restore peace as Darika had conquered the world. Protected by the boon, given to him by Brahma,  that no man or God in the world could defeat him, his cruelty had become unbearable. Lord Shiva on hearing this, declared that Goddess Kali, a woman, would be the one defeating him. The performance concludes with the enactment of the fierce battle between Kali and Darika. Other characters in the performance are Dhanavendran, Koyimbadan and Kooli. While Koyimbadan acts as the narrator of the story, Dhanavendran supports Darika in the fight against Kali. Kooli is a comical character introduced amidst this mythological tale in order to engage with the audience through dialogue and actions.

Kali’s character wears a heavy headgear with the face of Goddess Kali in the centre. At the back of the headgear, are long  tender coconut leaves suspended from the crown symbolic of Goddess Kali’s long hair (mudi). The (chutti kuthu) makeup done for Kali’s character is different from the rest of the characters. The base is black, made using oil lamp soot and across the face are white spots, a paste made of rice powder.

Mudiyettu’s presence in Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List has given the art form the opportunity to revive itself. Today, it is performed not only in the Devi Temples of Kerala but across states as a staged performance. Despite this, it continues to be an art form that needs recognition among the youth for the future generations to be able to witness this masterpiece.