Bhadrakāli Tīyāttu [

Bhadrakali Tiyyattu is a ritualistic dance normally performed in Bhadrakali temples, mostly in the Kottayam, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta districts. Pallippurathu Kavu at Kottayam (family temple of Kottarathil Sankunni) and Vanarkavu at Madakkathanam, near Thodupuzha, are two of the places where tiyyattu is performed during annual festivals. It is also performed as an offering at temples and houses.

The performance has three parts - preparation of the kalam (Kalamezhuthu), singing songs in praise of Bhadrakali and the performance of the dance. Kalamezhuthu is done during the day using natural coloured powders on the floor. An elaborate picture of Bhadrakali is normally made. The singing of the songs take place after the Kalamezhuthu is finished in front of it and may last up to three hours. For the dance a male member dresses up as Bhadrakali, a creation of Shiva. In the performance she is just back from killing Darika and is telling the events to Shiva who is symbolised by the lighted lamp. As she was affected by small pox and has pockmarks on her face she has her back to the lamp almost throughout the performance.