they are called. The devotees are distributed with the prasadam which is the mixed powder used in the 'kalam'. The art is sometimes staged in bigger forms that last from dawn to late night when it is called Udayasthamaya Thiyyattu. In such cases, the Koothu would deal with twelve stories ahead of the birth of Ayyappa. Such performances usually feature the challenging 'Pantheeraayiram', which is when the oracle would take a (three- to four-hour-long) break from the circumambulations to break (dehusked and sufficiently polished) coconuts totalling 12,000 to the rhythmic beats of chenda-and-ilathalam concert that would gain speed towards the climax. The Thiyyadi Nambiar families, despite their existence in central Kerala, enjoy the popularity of their art more in the upstate Malabar belt. Some experts/historians trace this pattern to the community's possible southward flee from their original north Malabar homes during the controversial temple destruction spree of the 18th-century Mysore king Tippu Sultan. Mulankunnathukavu Thiyyaadi Raman Nambiar, in his book "Ayyappan Theeyattu" gives a lively narration of the traditional art and acknowledges the support from V. R. Prabodhachandran Nayar in coming out with this invaluable narration of the age old Kerala art form. References http://ayyappantheeyattu.com/ External links Ayyappan Thiyyattu Bhadrakali Theeyattu watch bhadrakali theeyattu on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXokdLGXk1Q watch bhadrakali theeyattu on googlevideo http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=bhadrakali+theeyattu&sitesearch=# Hindu dance traditions Theatre in India Indian folk dances Dances of Kerala Arts of Kerala