Onam Games - Kummatti kali

Kummatti kali is a dance where teams of both kids and young men cover their bodies up in leaves or grass ( 'kumatti' grass or 'parppadaka' grass) patches and wear painted masks representing Bali (monkey king), Rama, Hanuman, demons etc, as characters from the epic Ramayana and as goddess Durga (Kali), an old woman 'thamma' etc. Then they dance clapping their hands together going from house to house. The dance will be accompanied by devotional songs and with a bow like instrument, 'onavillu'. The dance is related to Shaiva myth. The main character 'Thamma', an old woman who walks in front with the help of a stick is believed to be the mother of every being and everything.