Bhagavathypattu
Kalamezhuthu pattu or Kalamezhuththum pattum is a traditional ritual performed in Devi(/Bhagavathy(female deities/Godess)) temples in Kerala. Hence also known as Bhagavathypattu. Kalamezhuthu, the art of creating a Kalam (A floor mural using coloured powders) depicting Goddess Bhadrakali. Pattu here refers to the ritualistic songs rendered in the praise of the Godess. The Bhagavathypattu is offered along with the Vettekkorumakanpattu. Like the Vettekkorumakanpattu , the Bhagavathypattu too have elaborate rituals. Some very similar.
According to the folklore, there is reason behind the performance of Bhagavathy pattu as an offering to the Godess.
Long long ago, in the kingdom of Danavas( the Demons), Darika was known for his ferocious temper and for the boon of immortality that he had wrested from the Great Brahma after a long and arduous penance. Brahma had granted Darika the boon that no god or man would be able to kill him and that every drop of his blood that fell to the ground would lead to the birth of hundreds of Darikas. He could be slayed only by a woman.
Born to Darumathy, Darika grew extremely arrogant in his power and attacked the Devas. He entered Devalok and then stormed into Kailasa. Shiv was furious and to bring about his end created Bhadrakali from his third eye (it is said she incarnated from his eye on a Tuesday afternoon). Bhadrakali set about her mission as soon as she was born, with the leader of forest ghosts and spirits, Vetalam in tow, she attacked the demon and beheaded him. And as the blood dripped off his torso, she licked it before it could fall on to the ground.
However, even after Darika was killed, Bhadrakali’s thirst for blood was not appeased and she went on a killing spree. The gods ran to Shiva for help. He tried to convince her to stop but when everything failed, he lay down on the ground and said, “Daughter dance upon my naked body and release your anger.” That worked and Bhadrakali’s terrifying rampage came to an end as did the reign of Darika.
This story is performed and sung as Darikavadham (the killing of Darika) in various parts of Kerala as an offering to the goddess Bhagavathy.