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Artforms
Kerala has a rich tradition in art and
dance forms. Like any land, Kerala also has its own typical art
forms, which reflect the life and outlook of the people - from the renowned Kathakali, considered being the complete art form as it
synthesizes all that is best in the fields of drama, music and
dance, to the folk dances, which are reflections of the rhythmic
impulses.
Performing Arts
Kathakali
Classical dance form of nearly 300 years old, combines facets of
ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime. This dance-drama has a
unique costume and make up, depicts stories from the two great
Indian epics-The Ramayana and The Mahabharata.
Chavittunatakom
A Christian art form of Kerala, evolved at the turn of the 16th
Century AD during the Portuguese colonization and bears definite
traces of the European Christian Miracle Play opera and ballet .
Krishnanattom
A spectacle for both the scholar and the simple rustic. The visual
effect is enhanced by varied and colourful facial make-up with
larger-than-life-masks, made of light wood and cloth padding.
Oppana
A dance form essential to the wedding entertainment and festivities
of the Malabar Muslims. Maidens and young female relatives sing and
dance around the bride, clapping their hands.
Mohiniyattom
The dance of the enchantress, Mohiniyattom, is a distinctive
classical dance form of Kerala.
Kakkarissi natakom
Kakkarissi Natakom is a satirical dance-drama based on the puranic
legends of Lord Siva and his consort Parvati when they assumed human
forms as Kakan and Kakkathi - a nomadic tribe of fortunetellers.
Thiruvathirakali
Thiruvathirakali is a dance performed by women, in order to attain
everlasting marital bliss, on Thiruvathira day in the Malayalam
month of Dhanu (December- January).
Kolkkali
A folk art mainly of the agrarian classes, Kolkkali is a highly
rhythmic, they never miss a beat. In Malabar, Kolkkali is more
popular among Muslim men.
Thullal
Thullal is a solo performance combining the dance and recitation of
stories in verse. Staged during temple festivals, the performer
explicates the verses through expressive gestures.
Koodiyattom
Koodiyattom literally means, “acting together”. This is the earliest
classical dramatic art form of Kerala. Based on Sage Bharatha’s
‘Natyasasthra’ who lived in the second century, Koodiyattom evolved
in the 9th century AD. Recently the UNESCO has declared Koodiyattom
as one among the “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage
of Humanity”.
Duffmuttu
Duffmuttu is also known as Aravanamuttu. It is a group performance
popular among the Muslims of Malabar. Duffmuttu is staged as a
social event during festivals and nuptial ceremonies.
RITUAL ARTS
Theyyam
Theyyam also known as Kaliyattom is a ritual dance popular in North
Kerala. It incorporates dance, mime and music and enshrines the
rudiments of ancient tribal cultures, which attached great
importance to the worship of heroes and the spirits of ancestors.
Persons belonging to the Vannan, Malayan and other related castes
perform these in front of shrines, sans stage or curtains.
Patayani
Patayani is a week- long ritual dance, held in Kaali temples on the
banks of the Pamba river during the Malayalam months of Meenam and
Medam (March - April).
Poothanumthirayum
This ritual offering to goddess Kaali is performed in many places of
South Malabar. A troupe of dancers dresses up as Kaali (the Thira)
and the accompanying spirits (the Poothams) who were created along
with the goddess for the destruction of the evil demon, Daarikan.
Koothu
Koothu is a socio religious art, performed in the Koothambalam or the
Ko othuthara
of temples, either independently or as part of Koodiyattom. A solo
narrative in which Chakkiar, the performer acts like 'Vidushaka' or
the wise jester. Through his inimitable narration of stories from
the epics the Chakkiar satirizes the manners and customs of the
time. No one is above the butt of his ridicule.
Paana
Paana or Pallippaana, as it is sometimes called, is a ritual art to
propitiate the goddess Bhadrakaali. The art form is popular in the
districts of Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram.
Mudiyettu
Mudiyettu is a ritual dance performed in some Kaali temples of Ernakulam and Kottayam districts
 (central Kerala). The dance
celebrates the goddess’s triumph over the demon Daarikan.
Kannyarkali
Kannyarkali, also known as Desathukali, is a folk art exclusively
practiced by the Nair community of the Palakkad area. It owes its
origin to the pursuit of martial arts in this region, which was
under constant threat of attack from neighbouring Konganadu.
Arjuna nritham
Arjuna Nritham (the dance of Arjuna) is a ritual art performed by
men and is prevalent in the Bhagavathy temples of Kerala.
Tholppavakkoothu
Tholppavakkoothu, literally meaning ‘leather puppet play,’ is a
ritual art performed during the annual festivals in the Kaali
temples of Palakkad district. The theme of the play is based on the
Kamba Ramayana, narrated in a diction that is a mixture of Malayalam
and Tamil dialectical variations. The shadow play is presented in
the ‘Koothumadam’, a specially constructed oblong playhouse on the
temple premises. The puppets are fashioned out of the hides of
buffaloes and deer, the former for evil characters and latter for
noble ones.
Velakali
 A spectacular martial dance performed by men in some of the
temples of southern Kerala. The dancers, clad in the traditional
clothes and colorful headgear of the medieval Nair soldiers, engage
in vigorous movements and dexterous swordplay, to the accompaniment
of an orchestra comprising the maddalam, ilathalam, Kombu, and
kuzhal. The dance form is originated in Ambalappuzha and is a
regular feature of the annual festivities at the SreeKrishna temple
there.
Kalamezhuthu
The Kalam is a unique drawing also called dhulee chithram or powder
drawing. The artist uses the floor as his canvas. Kalamezhuthu pattu
is performed as part of the rituals to worship and propitiate gods
like Kaali, Ayyappan or Vettakkorumakan. This ritualistic art is a
common feature of temples as well as noble households.
Margomkali
Margomkali is a ritual folk art of the Syrian Christians of Kottayam
and Thrissur districts. A dozen dancers sing and dance around a
lighted wick lamp ( Nilavilakku), clad in the simple traditional
white dhoti.
Kavadiyattom
Kavadiyattam, a colourful ritual art, is a votive offering to Sree
Subramanya. Basically of Tamil origin, Kavadiyattam is widely
prevalent in the Subramanya temples all over Kerala during the
festival seasons.
Theeyattu
Theeyattu is a solo dance-drama performed in front of the Kalam or
Dhooli Chitram (ritual drawing with coloured powders). It is enacted
in some Bhagavathy temples of Thiruvalla, Kottayam and Thripunithura.
Kummattikkali
Kummattikkali is a mask dance popular in Thrissur district of
Kerala. The dancers, wearing painted wooden masks and sporting
sprigs of leaves and grass, go dancing from house to house. A
popular Kummatti character is Thalla or the witch; the others
represent various Hindu gods and goddesses. The songs deal with
devotional themes and are accompanied by a bow like instrument
called Ona-villu. No formal training is required to perform the
Kummattikkali, and often the spectators join in the performance.
Martial arts
The martial art form of Kerala - Kalaripayattu – is believed to be
the mother of all martial art forms in the world and for that mater
the most scientific one. It consists of a series of intricate
movements that train the body and mind.
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