Religious theatre in Kerala can be divided into six various types, namely; Bhagavati Pattu, Tiyyattu, Pana, Pattu, Kaniyar Kali and Mutiyettu. These have been categorized as religious theatre, for the simple reason that they are invariably found celebrated, by the pious villagers in the temple or in their homes, in Bhagavati shrines. These are intended to glorify the cult of Bhagavati mela and exclusively deal with the glorification and the popularization of cult which, by the way, is one of the theistic Hindu cults most popular in the state. They have again for their main theme the destruction of Darika by Goddess Kali or the Victory of Parvati over Lord Shiva. The language of these songs is exclusively in the local vernacular, and the actors or the dancers are generally from the lower orders of the caste Hindus. These and the fact that the lower types of Tantric and Mantric rituals are also found associated with some Bhagavati shrines tempt one to think that in these spectacular representations may be found the sole surviving relics of the old type of the worship of sylvan Gods and Goddesses current amongst the indigenous native population which by culture-contact and culture-stratification were purified, ennobled and admitted into the Aryan fold.
Bhagavati Pattu
Bhagavati Pattu is generally found conducted either in temples or in the houses of the Kerala Brahmins, called Namputins. The figure of Bhagavati with heads and arms and body is drawn on the floor with coloured flour and then Jivapratistha is done. Sitting around it and playing upon some of the musical instruments the troupe of people, called Rumps, sing the songs glorifying the goddess
Tiyyattu
Tiyyattu is similar to the above in all respects except for this difference, that, when the songs reach the fifth stage - the Komaram, in his possessed fury, jumps into the fire and executes some weird stepping dance.
Pana
Pana is another variety of similar dancing, and though not much different from the preceding, it is technically held to be different. Two types are prevalent: it may be an individual votive offering, in which case there is only one Komaram taking part in it - the Komaram associated with the temple in which the performance is conducted.
Pattu
This is purely a family or domestic function celebrated by rich families as a beneficent complement to such a ritual as marriage. The purely religious aspect of this consists in the invocation of the Goddess Parvati.
Kaniyar Kali
Kaniyar Kali is another variety of interesting performance common in the northern parts of Cochin, conducted in Bhagavati shrines. When the performance come on, there is erected a decorated pandal in the temple adorned with flags and festoons. In the centre a big lighted lamp is placed round which the players dance to set music, both instrumental and vocal, the dance being supposed to be an imitation of the dance of Mahakali and Mahakala.
Mutiyettu
Unlike the varieties hitherto described stands Mutiyuttu, which is the most important of the representations associated with the Bhagavati Cult. This is the only variety in which two characters appear in costume, the one representing goddess Kali and the other Darika.
