Introduction:
"Thitambu Nritham" is the ritual art form in North Kerala more than 700 years old . It is mainly performed by Namboothiris of this part of Kerala. Late Vethiramana Sreedharan Namboodiri is known to be the "Father of Thitambu Nritham". Luckily this ritual art form has not died out with his withdrawal from the stage. Experts in this field like Sri Matamana Sankaran Embranthiri and his disciple Brahmasree Puthumana Govindan Namboothiri are carrying on the great tradition in the north.
There is no scope for expression in this art. The dancer, in the traditional style after performing the usual rituals, comes out of the sanctorum, and standing under the flag, holds aloft the replica weighing about 10 kg-30 kg on his head and starts the divine dance. One namboodiri to bear the thitambu, seven players on percussion instruments, two persons to carry lamps, in all ten persons are needed to present this. The dance begins with "Kotti Urayikkal" (drumming to make the dancer possessed). As the dancer comes out carrying the replica of the idol on his head, the "Maaraar" makes the characteristic drumming when rituals are performed. The word "Thitambu" suggests the direct manifestation of the deity. 
This is placed over a decorated turban known as Ushnipeetam. Idols being carried on top of elephants during festivals as also replicas beings held on shoulders while dancing to the rhythm of percussion instruments are a common sight in South and Central Kerala. But, dancing with the replicas on the heads, is a unique feature in the North. The origin of Thitambu Nritham cannot be easily traced. Replicas called ‘chattam’ are made of bamboo or wood with in which a beautiful frame with intricate designs is created.Foot work is most important in this dance and this is executed to the rhythm of the drums. Each circumlocution is regulated by a different Thaalam (Thakilati, Atantha, Chempata and Panchari). Thitambu Nritham has undergone some changes in accordance with the trend of the times. Though the basic ones (Thaalavattom) remains the same,there are some changes made in drumming (thaalam). Innovation also adds to the novelty and variety of Thitambu nritham.
The Living Legend:
Brahmasree Puthumana Govindan Namboothiri: The Living Legend With 30 Yrs Of Excellence In Thitampu Nritham
Brahmasree Puthumana Govindan Namboothiri (48), is a legend in the field of Thitampu Nritham. His debut performance was at Sree ATHIYAMPOOR SUBRAHMANYA SWAMY TEMPLE, Kanhangad during the SHASHTHI UTHSAVAM-1979. He hails from Chemmattam Vayal, kanhangad in Kasaragod district. He has performed at almost all the temples (around 200) in north kerala for the past 25yrs. He was inspired by Late Brahmasree THEKKILLAM KESHAVAN EMBRANTHIRI (First VETHIRAMANA AWARD WINNER). He is also famous at the National level throughout India. Video clippings of his performance is even included in the topics of interest of the dance researchers in the foreign universities.
Thitampu Nritham exponent Sri Govindan Namboothiri, popularly known for developing this as a classical dance form. He was recently honoured by many organizations for having brought out the possibilities of this art form, making free from the rituals at temples. His performance on the stage was appreciated by thousands of dance lovers including fans from other religions. He was given the titles ‘JANAKEEYA NARTHAKAN’ and ‘THITAMPU NRITHA CHAKRAVARTHY’ for the outstanding and valuable contributions in this field. Last year, he has done a number of State level programs like UTHSAV – 2007, LAVANYAM – 2007.
He follows entirely THEKKAN SAILI and has excelled in this area. He has recieved many honours during the past years from well known temples like Sree(CHIRAKKA KAVU,THALASSERY, KUTTAMATH BHAGAVATHITEMPLE, CHERUVATHUR, PALLIKKUNNU MAHAVISHNU TEMPLE, KANATHUR, EDAKKAD VISHNU TEMPLE,KANNUR) etc. Initially he has performed in the telecast on DOORDARSHAN on "KSHETHRAKALAKAL" (in section thitampunritham) while he was performing at Sree KOLLYA MOOKAMBIKA TEMPLE, ULLAL. After that he has performed in many times for various local channels at Kasaragod like Indiavision, city channels and his NRITHAM appears during the UTSAVA season. His performance at VEERABHADRA TEMPLE, CHERUVATHUR (The second famous ARATTUTHSAVAM of north kerala VAYALIL ARATTU) was captured by the ASIANET and was telecasted.
He follows entirely THEKKAN SAILI and has excelled in this area. He has recieved many honours during the past years from well known temples like Sree(CHIRAKKA KAVU,THALASSERY, KUTTAMATH BHAGAVATHITEMPLE, CHERUVATHUR, PALLIKKUNNU MAHAVISHNU TEMPLE, KANATHUR, EDAKKAD VISHNU TEMPLE,KANNUR) etc. Initially he has performed in the telecast on DOORDARSHAN on "KSHETHRAKALAKAL" (in section thitampunritham) while he was performing at Sree KOLLYA MOOKAMBIKA TEMPLE, ULLAL. After that he has performed in many times for various local channels at Kasaragod like Indiavision, city channels and his NRITHAM appears during the UTSAVA season. His performance at VEERABHADRA TEMPLE, CHERUVATHUR (The second famous ARATTUTHSAVAM of north kerala VAYALIL ARATTU) was captured by the ASIANET and was telecasted.
His performance at CHERUPUZHA Ayyappa temple was considered the best performance in the year 2005 by a panel of old and experieneced experts.His performance at Sree VISHNUMANGALAM temple,Kanhangad will be telecasted in the SURYA channel under the program "KELI". He will be performing for the KAIRALI channel also soon. The legendary artist was honoured by Doordarshan, Trivandrum in a programme ‘KASAVUTHEERAM’ in 2007. He is known to majority of celebrities in other fields as ‘THITAMPU NRITHA PRATHIBHA’. He was given the honour recently by Kollya Mutt Seva sangham, Mangalore for the expertise shown in Thitampu Nritham.
His style of performing Titampu Nitham is unique and makes attractive to the viewers even without the knowledge of this divine art. It is always expected that thre will be a large crowd to watch his performance from areas far away from temples. He keeps all the conventional styles as such with varities which comes under the new trend.he always says "I perform thitampu nritham with bhakthi which is the secret of my success" and he does not believe in the degrading tendencies by the new artists to perform mere dance instead of NRITHAM due to lack of effort. He remains performing different SHAILIS for continuous 30 minutes each for four THALAVATTAMS (For continuous 2 hrs) and says the "ATANTHA" is his favourite.
His style of performing Titampu Nitham is unique and makes attractive to the viewers even without the knowledge of this divine art. It is always expected that thre will be a large crowd to watch his performance from areas far away from temples. He keeps all the conventional styles as such with varities which comes under the new trend.he always says "I perform thitampu nritham with bhakthi which is the secret of my success" and he does not believe in the degrading tendencies by the new artists to perform mere dance instead of NRITHAM due to lack of effort. He remains performing different SHAILIS for continuous 30 minutes each for four THALAVATTAMS (For continuous 2 hrs) and says the "ATANTHA" is his favourite.
He is becoming popular nowadays as he always sticks only to this art and never tries to copy other dances and art forms. Govindan Namboodiri has performed in more than a hundred temples at the age of 25 and has won appreciation and numerous awards from his admirers. Every year he performs at new temples in North Kerala and Karnataka. He has delighted the crowds in various parts of Karnataka including Mangalore and Bangaluru apart from the fans in Trivandrum, Kochi, Thrissur and Calicut. It is a measure of his fame that people even from far away places gather in the temples where he is performing. Every year, Govindan Namboothiri gets invitations from new temples across India. Such is his popularity. It is a reflection on his devotion to this divine art that he is giving training to many aspiring youngsters. He was the only artist selected for a one hour special interview session by Indiavision in Thitampu section last year.
He respects all THITAMPU artists whether they follow THEKKAN or VATAKKAN saili and continues with its majestic performance from vrishchikam to medam. He comes to perform THITAMPU NRITHAM under request which has fascinated thousands of viewers (art lovers) and devotees irrespective of weight of the Thitampu. It is a matter of special interest that there are many temples where he continues to perform since he was assigned since 1979!! He lives as pure NAMBOOTHIRI with pooja and maintains old tradition of the community. The soft spoken expert of Thitampu Nritham is known by majority of marars in North Kerala and respected by them.
He respects all THITAMPU artists whether they follow THEKKAN or VATAKKAN saili and continues with its majestic performance from vrishchikam to medam. He comes to perform THITAMPU NRITHAM under request which has fascinated thousands of viewers (art lovers) and devotees irrespective of weight of the Thitampu. It is a matter of special interest that there are many temples where he continues to perform since he was assigned since 1979!! He lives as pure NAMBOOTHIRI with pooja and maintains old tradition of the community. The soft spoken expert of Thitampu Nritham is known by majority of marars in North Kerala and respected by them.
He remembers how he was introduced by KADANNAPPALLI SANKARAN KUTTY MARAR to PALLIKKUNNU KANATHOOR temple for performance with Late Brahmasree thekkillam Kesavan Embranthiri. It is a reflection on his devotion to this divine art that he is giving training to many aspiring youngsters. Further, he is doing research on the origin, Drumming, development, scope and other peculiarities of this art and intends to bring out an authentic book.
The purpose is to rejuvenate Thitambu Nritham which is facing eclipse. He is also trying to prepare two famous reference books on THITAMPU NRITHAM which is in the process of publication. He is known as ‘GURUJI’ to the performers of other classical dance forms. A majority of his fans believes that the honors received by him so far is not sufficient to greet him for his excellence and the dedication he shows in this field.
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