Traditional Art Forms in Kerala
Kerala, the land of beautiful and colourful art forms. The classical arts dates back over a thousand years. The best time to enjoy them is during January and April, the time of temple festivals.
Thullal
Ottam Thullal was first introduced by a leading poet called Kunjan Nambiar. The dancer dresses in colourful costumes, painted face and headgear.
Mudiyettu
This ritual art is performed in Devi (Goddess) Temples of Central Kerala. It represents the encounter between Goddess Bhadrakali and the demon Daruka. In other words this art form represents the fight between good and evil and the final victory of good.
Theyyam or Kaliyattom
Performed in the temples of Malabar, it is more about the participation of the local people than the actual performance…, A section of this art is known as Thira which represents lives of great heroes. It is usually performed by people of the backward community. Different types of instruments like drum, symbols etc are used for the background music. It is performed at night and torches made of dried coconut leaves are used to light up the place. The performer wears a silk cloth round the waist and a crown on his head, stands with devotion in front of the Devi (Goddess) Temple describing about the origin of Theyyam he is about to perform. Theyyam gets possessed and performs a rhythmic dance called urayal when the deity enters the body of the Theyyam. The performer assumes temporary incarnate powers – he is God and Master, the manifestation of the divine. The next ritual is called the Uriyattu Kalpana, during which the devotees explains their problems to the Theyyam and in return the Theyyam how to overcome these problems.
Mohiniyattam
This dance form is very popular in Kerala, it is about the soft and subtle – the feminine grace of life. It is a very graceful and elegant dance form which consists of mudras (hand gestures), expressions and rhythmic steps. The lyrics and slokas were compared by maharaja Swathi Thirunal, Iravimman Tampi and other great poets. This art form is performed on the stage to the accompaniment of drums, violin and other instruments. The dancers are dressed in traditional white with golden borderlines.
Thiruvathira Kali
It is celebrated in connection of the birthday of Lord Siva. This dance is performed by women for everlasting marital bliss. Goddess Parvathi is supposed to have danced with her companions on this auspicious day. A group of sixteen or twenty women dance round a lamp or floral decoration to celebrate the Lord’s Birthday. This dance is accompanied by Thiruvathira Pattu (song), which is very emotional and highly rhythmic. Another form of this dance is Kummi, in which some of the participants stand in a circle and the rest move attractively, clapping their hands.
Kolkkali
Kolkkali is more popular among Muslim men. The artists hold small sticks in their hand, the are stroked uniformly to rhythmic dance and song. The artists make marvelous movements without missing a single beat. The sound of sticks and excellent movement of artists makes it even more graceful to watch this art form.
Margom Kali
A ritual folk art of Syrian Christians, it is an allegorical enactment with a light lamp (Nilavilakku) in the middle, representing Jesus Christ and the dancers his disciples. The artists were white dhothi and special ornaments. The theme of songs depicts the life and death of St.Thomas, the apostle.
Oppana
This is a folk dance performed usually by ladies during a Muslim marriage. The songs are often teasing comments about the bride’s anticipation of marital bliss. It is performed on the eve of the wedding, the bride is made to sit in the center, dressed in all her finery, while the artists sing and perform all around her.
Koodiyattom
The earliest classical dramatic art form of Kerala. Koodiyattom represents events from mythology. Koodiyattom is performed by two or more characters. The UNESCO has recognized this art form has been the part of world heritage.
Pulluvan pattu
A ritual offering to appease serpents deities prevalent in Central Kerala. A picture of the serpent deity is drawn using various coloured powders on the ground. A unique instrument called the Pulluvakudam is used to produce music, which is similar to that of a percussion instrument.
Vadakkanpattu
These are composed by village servants on the heroic life of legendary persons in Kalaripayattu. The lyrics are filled with romantic feelings. It depicts the life style of the people, rituals, their culture and traditions.
Padayani
Padayani is an art form depicting the story of the victory of Goddess Kali who defeats the demon called Darika. The costume worn in this art form is similar to that of Theyyam. This is performed in an open space near a temple.
Chavittu Nadakam
Chavittu Nadakam is a Christian art form. It evolved in the 16th century A.D. The artists tap their feet on the stage loudly. The language used is a colloquial mixture of Tamil and Malayalam.
Kalarippayattu
This is a classical literary works says that the warrior Sage Parasuram was the first master of Kalarippayattu. Parasuram after reclaiming the land of Kerala from the ocean by throwing his axe, taught this martial art to his 21 disciples in order to protect the land and maintain peace. There is another belief that the Lord Siva is the father of Kalarippayattu. It has been propagated by Parasuram in North and Sage Agasthya in South. The word ‘Kalari’ denotes a gymnasium or school and ‘payattu’ means both exercise and fight.
If we go back to the Evolution, Kalarippayattu was an integral part of the socio Political system of medieval Kerala. The Medieval Principalities and Chieftains who ruled Kerala had trained a group of warriors in this martial arts to protect Kerala and themselves from the aggression of their enemies
Kathakali
This is the youngest of the classical dance form of Kerala, which is believed to have originated during the 17th century A.D. A dramatical art where expression form the heart of its perfection. The dance form is based on the guidelines laid by Sage Bharatha’s Natya Sastra, and is an integration of dance, music, poetry and histrionics.
Make up on the face is an elaborate process, taking long time for its perfection; this is very essential for the nature and personality of the character represented on the stage. Expression and movements of the eyes (Netrabhinaya) is a vital part of Kathakali. Generally there are some classifications for make up Painted make up (Thecha Vesham) , bearded make up (Thaddi Vesham), Black make up (Kari Vesham) and polished make up (Minukku Vesham). Pacha and kathi Vesham are sub division of Techa vesham. Kathi Vesham represents evil characters while Pacha (green) represents good and optimisticall characters. Thaddi has three sub divisions. Vella ( while) Chuvanna (Red) and Karutha (Black), each colour represents a character.
Kathakali has 24 Mudras which enables to express the nine emotions love, valour, fear, contempt, loathing, serenity, wonder, kindness and anger. Usually stories from the great epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha are taken up for Kathakali performance.
Pulikali
The Kaduvakali or Pulikali, the dance of the tiger, is performed during Onam festival. The artists wear mask of tiger and dance according to the beat of percussion instrument.
