Marakkal, Marakkāl, Marakkāḻ: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Marakkal means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Tamil. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras (natya)Marakkāl refers to the ninth of the eleven dances (patinoraṭal) as mentioned in the Kaṭalāṭukkāṭai which is a chapter of the Cilappatikāram: an ancient epic authored by Ilango Adigal representing an important piece of Tamil literature.—The eleven dances were (viz., Marakkāl) danced by Madavi in the Indra Vila (the festival celebrating the victory of Indra). After praising Viṣṇu, four Varuna-bhutas and Tiṅkal (moon in the sky, moving for the benefit of others), the patinoraṭal (eleven dances) is said to begin.
Marakkāl description: This dance was danced by Koṟṟavai (Durga) with wooden legs in order to destroy the demons who waged a deceitful war in which they came in the forms of scorpions and snakes.
The marakkāl-kūttu is danced by the maravars. They dance in praise of goddess Koṟṟavai. While the dancer dances, her anklets and waist ornaments make jingling sound. Koṟṟavai holds a sword in her hand to denote the destruction of the demons, and dances on wooden stills. When she dances to the delight of the Devas and to the distress of the Asuras, she is adorned with flowers and she sings in praise of Koṟṟavai. This message comes in the song of veṭṭuva-vari (the hunter’s song).
Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Languages of India and abroad
Tamil dictionary
Source: DDSA: University of Madras: Tamil LexiconMarakkāl (மரக்கால்) [mara-kāl] noun < மரம் [maram] +. [Malayalam: marakkāl.]
1. A grain measure, varying in different places = 8 paṭi = ¹⁄₁₂ kalam = 400 cu. in., as originally made of wood; முகத்தலளவைக்கருவி வகை. (பிங்கலகண்டு) [mugathalalavaikkaruvi vagai. (pingalagandu)]
2. Superficial measure = 3362 sq. ft., as requiring a marakkal of seed to sow it; ஒரு மரக்கால் விரைப்பாடு. [oru marakkal viraippadu.] Local usage
3. (Astrology) Measure of rain for the year, determined by the ruling planet; ஆண்டு மழையின் அளவு. ஒரு மரக்கால் மழை இவ்வருடத்தில். (பஞ்சாங்கம்) [andu mazhaiyin alavu. oru marakkal mazhai ivvarudathil. (panchangam)]
4. Wooden leg; மரத்தாற் செய்த பாதம். [marathar seytha patham.]
5. A dance of Viṣṇu; திருமால் கூத்துவகை. (சூடாமணிநிகண்டு) [thirumal kuthuvagai. (sudamaninigandu)]
6. A dance of Durgā on stilts, slaying the Asuras who attacked her assuming the shapes of reptiles, one of 11 kūttu, q.v.; கூத்துப் பதினொன்றனுள் வஞ்சத் தால் வெல்லுதல்கருதிப் பாம்பு தேள் முதலியவாய் அவுணர் புகுதலையுணர்ந்து துர்க்கை அவற்றை யுழக் கிக் களைதற்கு மரத்தால் செய்த காலைக்கொண்டு ஆடிய ஆட்டம். [kuthup pathinonranul vanchath thal velluthalkaruthip pambu thel muthaliyavay avunar puguthalaiyunarnthu thurkkai avarrai yuzhag kig kalaitharku marathal seytha kalaikkondu adiya attam.] (சிலப்பதிகாரம் அரும்பதவுரை [silappathigaram arumbathavurai] 3, 14, உரை. [urai.])
7. Saltpan; உப்பளம். (பிங்கலகண்டு) [uppalam. (pingalagandu)]
8. The ninth nakṣatra; ஆயிலிய நாள். (சூடாமணிநிகண்டு) [ayiliya nal. (sudamaninigandu)]
9. The fifteenth nakṣatra; சோதி நாள். (பிங்கலகண்டு) [sothi nal. (pingalagandu)]
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Marakkāḻ (மரக்காழ்) [mara-kāḻ] noun < மரம் [maram] +. Inner core of a tree; மரவைரம். (திவா.) [maravairam. (thiva.)]
Tamil is an ancient language of India from the Dravidian family spoken by roughly 250 million people mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Mara-kalavelvi, Marakkalam, Marakkalan, Marakkalavali, Marakkaltuntu, Marakkalvalam.
Ends with: Ilaiyamarakkal, Kuntumarakkal, Pentaimarakkal.
Full-text (+12): Ilaiyamarakkal, Marakkalvalam, Parakalam, Marakkaltuntu, Iramalinkam, Marakkarparai, Kuruni, Pentaimarakkal, Kuntumarakkal, Oru-vaykotai, Karacai, Puta-nali, El-ankataici, Vairam, Atavallan, Karicai, Mutam, Koni, Kulakam, Tarakan.
Relevant text
Search found 3 books and stories containing Marakkal, Marakkāl, Mara-kāl, Mara-kal, Marakkāḻ, Mara-kāḻ, Marakkaal, Marakkazh, Marakkaazh; (plurals include: Marakkals, Marakkāls, kāls, kals, Marakkāḻs, kāḻs, Marakkaals, Marakkazhs, Marakkaazhs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Early Chola Temples (by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam)
Temples in Tiruvamattur < [Chapter II - Temples of Parantaka I’s Time]
Middle Chola Temples (by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam)
4. Icons set up By Rajaraja I’s Officers and others < [Tanjavur/Thanjavur (Rajarajesvaram temple)]
Appointment of Temple Servants and Administrative Arrangements < [Tanjavur/Thanjavur (Rajarajesvaram temple)]
Temples in Malurpatna < [Chapter II - Temples of Rajaraja I’s Time]
Ananda Coomaraswamy and the Tamil < [July – September, 1980]