The Adiya tribesmen in Wayanad have started to perform ‘Naduzhiyal’ as part of their ritualistic art form ‘Nadugaddhika’ in villages of the hill district for the prosperity of the public. The tribesmen perform it in all houses in Thirunelly and Thrissilery areas irrespective of caste and creed after offering pujas at the Mahavishnu temple at Thirunelly. The tribespeople believe that ‘gaddhika’ brings prosperity to the hamlet and wards off evil, says T. Santhosh Kumar, a social activist at Thirunelly. The tribesmen will disguise as women and visit all houses in the village carrying ‘guddies’, a miniature temple made out of plantain sheaths, on their heads and perform the ritual. Mr. Kariyan, who is also a gaddhika artiste, said there were two types of the art form — Puja Gaddhika and Naadu Gaddhika.

Source: The Hindu July 03, 2019 02:37 UTC