Karivela

Men with painted bodies at Tattamangalam Kuthira Vela

Karivela (or Kari Vela) is a ritual usually seen in the Palakkad District of Kerala, India,[1] in which many volunteers paint themselves black with charcoal (Kari in Malayalam language)[2] and walk through the streets.

Karivela is conducted as part of festivals such as Nemmara Vela and Kuthira Vela, with the volunteers acting as guards to control festival spectators.[2]

  1. ^ T, Anilkumar (4 April 2023). "Dance of men for a goddess". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Thattamangalam Village Office". village.kerala.gov.in. Government of Kerala Revenue Department. Retrieved 13 November 2024.