Kkasthana at 11:49, 29 August 2025

2025-08-29T11:49:55Z

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{{short description|Indian folk dance}}
{{Infobox dance
|name=Gadhika
|image=File:Gaddhika tribal dance Adiya kerala.jpg
|alt=
|caption=Gadhika performance
|native_name= ഗദ്ദിക (Malayalam)
|etymology=
|genre= Ritual
|signature=
|instruments=
|inventor=
|year=
|origin=[[Kerala]], India
}}
'''Gadhika''' also spelled as '''Gaddika''' is a tribal art form of the [[Ravula|Adiya]] or Adiyor [[Tribals in Kerala|tribe]] belonging to the [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Scheduled Tribes]] of [[Wayanad district]], [[Kerala]], India. Gaddika is a ritual art form performed to cure disease and ward off miseries and [[evil eye]]. There are two variations of Gadhika, Nattu Gadhika, a public performance and Pooja Gadhika, which is purely ritualistic.

==Overview==
Atiyor are one of the major tribal groups living in villages like Achukunnu, Kuppathote, Payyampally and Thrissileri in [[Wayanad district]].<ref name="keralaculture">{{cite web |title=Gaddika - a tribal art form of Kerala |url=http://www.keralaculture.org/malayalam/gaddika/602 |website=keralaculture.org |publisher=Department of Culture, Government of Kerala |date=22 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422232122/http://www.keralaculture.org/malayalam/gaddika/602 |archive-date=2019-04-22 }}</ref> They believe that sickness and suffering are caused by God's wrath.<ref name="keralaculture"/> There are many customs and rituals practiced among the Adiyas who believe in witchcraft.<ref name="keralaculture"/> Gaddika is a magical ritual performed by Adiyrs to cure disease and ward off miseries and evil eyes.<ref name="keralaculture"/> Gaddika is also performed for the removal of ghosts affecting the locals and household members.<ref name="keralaculture"/> Ceremonies are conducted under the leadership of the chief priest called ''Gaddikakaran''.<ref name="keralaculture"/> It is also believed that this is a ritual that heralds the arrival of goodness.<ref>{{cite news |title='ഗദ്ദിക' ഗോത്രവര്‍ഗ സംസ്കൃതിയും മൂല്യവും കാത്തുസൂക്ഷിക്കാന്‍ * വേണു കെ ആലത്തൂര്‍ |url=https://www.deshabhimani.com/news/kerala/news-palakkadkerala-23-12-2016/612022 |work=[[Deshabhimani]] |language=ml |access-date=2023-04-13 |archive-date=2023-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413085154/https://www.deshabhimani.com/news/kerala/news-palakkadkerala-23-12-2016/612022 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Types==
There are two variations of Gadhika, Nattu Gadhika and [[Puja (Hinduism)|Pooja]] Gadhika. Pooja Gadhika is purely ritualistic, performed to cure disease, ward off miseries and [[evil eye]], and safe delivery of child.<ref name="Tourism">{{cite web |title=Gadhika, Tribal dances, Wayanad, Kerala, India |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/wayanad/gadhika-tribal-dance.php |website=Kerala Tourism - Wayanad |publisher=Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala |language=en |access-date=2023-04-13 |archive-date=2023-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413085148/https://www.keralatourism.org/wayanad/gadhika-tribal-dance.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

There is also a custom of gaddika groups going around the country accompanied by musical instruments, known as ''Nattu Gadhika''.<ref name="keralaculture"/> ''Nattu Gadhika'' performed annually for the good of the country, lasts for seven days.<ref name="Mathrubhumi">{{cite news |title=എൻ ഊര്; സഞ്ചാരികളുടെ ഹൃദയം കവർന്ന് കേരളത്തിലെ ആദ്യത്തെ ഗോത്ര പൈതൃക ഗ്രാമം |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/travel/features/wayanad-en-ooru-tribal-heritage-village-1.7629599 |work=[[Mathrubhumi]] |date=23 June 2022 |language=ml |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413091817/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/travel/features/wayanad-en-ooru-tribal-heritage-village-1.7629599 |url-status=live }}</ref> People will tell their sufferings to the ''gadhikakaran'', and he will bless them.<ref name="keralaculture"/>

==Ritual==
Gaddika is usually held once a year, during the [[Malayalam calendar|Malayalam month]] of [[Mithuna (month)|Mithunam]] (June/July).<ref name="Tourism"/> Gaddika ritual needs rice, coconut and [[Finger millet]].<ref name="Mathrubhumi"/> These ceremonies were started by placing a ''muram'' (a traditional kitchen tool made with palm leaves), placing a long bamboo cane near to it and offering money.<ref name="Mathrubhumi"/> There is also a ritual of seeking permission from Lord [[Shiva]] to perform Gadhika.<ref name="Mathrubhumi"/>

During the gaddika, the Adiyor sing the praises of each of their gods. Such songs are in praise of deities like Chuvani, Siddappan and Malakari.<ref name="keralaculture"/> While singing the song, the gaddikakaran dance in high energy. The language used throughout the ritual is a mixture of [[Kannada]] and [[Tulu language|Tulu]] languages.<ref name="Tourism"/>

==Non-ritual==
It was under the leadership of P.K. Kalan, Adiyor's Mooppan (Tribal chief) and politician, that Gaddika, which was performed only as a part of ritual, was presented in public platforms inside and outside Kerala without losing its artistic values.<ref name="keralaculture"/> Along with PK Kalan, P K Karian was another artist who used this tribal art as a tool for social reform.<ref name="Deshabhimani">{{cite news |title=കരിയൻ: ഗദ്ദിക ജീവതാളമാക്കിയ കലാകാരൻ |url=https://www.deshabhimani.com/news/kerala/news-11-03-2020/859012 |work=[[Deshabhimani]] |language=ml |access-date=2023-04-13 |archive-date=2023-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413085148/https://www.deshabhimani.com/news/kerala/news-11-03-2020/859012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==In popular culture==
The tribal art fair organized by the Department of Scheduled Tribes Development, Kerala state is named 'Gadhika'.<ref name="prd">{{cite web |title=ഗദ്ദിക 2020ന് തിരിതെളിഞ്ഞു; കണ്ണൂരില്‍ ഇനി തുടിതാളം {{!}} I&PRD : Official Website of Information Public Relations Department of Kerala |url=https://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/ml/node/68649 |website=www.prd.kerala.gov.in |access-date=2023-04-13 |archive-date=2023-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413085709/https://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/ml/node/68649 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Staff Reporter |title=Musical start to Gaddhika |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/Musical-start-to-Gaddhika/article17076271.ece |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=21 January 2017 |language=en |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413090955/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/Musical-start-to-Gaddhika/article17076271.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> The government organizes two fairs every year at different places in Kerala.<ref name="prd"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Culture of Kerala}}

[[Category:Ritual dances]]
[[Category:Dances of Kerala]]
[[Category:Kerala folklore]]
[[Category:Folk dances of Kerala]]

Gadhika - Revision history

Kkasthana at 11:49, 29 August 2025