The healing nature of the concept of ‘Twelve Gods’ in the Telme dance

Abstract

The present study examines the concept of ‘Twelve gods’ in the Telme, one of the principal dance forms popular in the ritual named ‘Devol Madu’ performed by the Buddhist community of southern coastal belt. The concept of ‘twelve’ is significant in traditional Sri Lankan rituals: the birth of twelve gods, twelve demons (Giri), twelve traditional steps, twelve items of offering etc., with the aim of healing the patient (Aturaya). The legend of Telme, according to the particular concept, is a performance acted by a group of twelve kings invocating the goddess Pattini with flowers and oil, expecting the recovery of the prolonged headache of the king Seraman. Since then, the performance of twelve kings became popular in healing diseases, and so named ‘Telme’ is meant to ‘offer oil to the twelve gods’ expecting mental and physical console for the patient (aturaya) and the audience. Apparently, the particular dance is performed in a traditional ritual ground, amidst many decorations specifically arranged for the twelve gods. The dancers perform in front of an especially dedicated deck circumambulating the ritual ground (…..) thereby creating a profound atmosphere for the patient and the audience while providing an elegant and colorful theatric experience. The particular performing nature proves that the objective of Telme is to empower the ordinary society with the propitiatory enactments invoking the Goddess Pattini with the popular ritual dance, significantly representing the twelve gods with the aim of healing the patient. Thus, it provides a better ground to examine the concept of twelve gods in Teleme dance which connotes to the principal idea of ‘healing’ existed in ritual practices in Sri Lanka.