Save up to $1,322 on our trips! Limited spots. Book Now.

One of the ways that Kerala truly lives up to its sobriquet of ‘God’s Own Country’ is its rich culture, traditions, and arts. Dating back centuries and filled with historic and mythological significance, Kerala’s performance art is a huge part of its identity. Here are just 13 varied facets of this southern state of India that have elevated the region onto the international map.

Thirayattam – Mother of all ethnic arts of Kerala

Thirayattam, a ritual performing ethnic art, is a blend of dance, theatre, music, satire, face and body painting, masks, martial art, and ritual. It is enacted in courtyards of kaavukal – sacred groves – and village shrines. The performer enacts the deity while in a trance moving vigorously, exhibiting belligerent mannerisms and gestures, believed to be divine.

Thirayattam has great resemblance to the traditions and customs of the ancient civilisation

Chavittu Nadakam – Result of a blend between Portuguese desire and Malayali art forms

Chavittu Nadakam is a colourful and vigorous theatre form, with attractive make-up and elaborate costumes. The name literally means ‘stamping drama’ because of the peculiar feature of this artform where the actors stamp the dance floor producing resonant sounds to emphasise the dramatic situations. The influence of the western opera can be discerned in Chavittu Nadakam.

Chavittu Nadakam is the dramatised enactment of Christian lore

Oppana – The traditional wedding dance of the Kerala Muslims

Oppana is a dance form that originated from the occasion when Muslim brides put on their wedding makeup. It is a popular form of social entertainment among Mappila – Kerala Muslims, and is prevalent all over the state. It is performed with the bride, dressed in finery, decked up in jewellery, with her palms and feet adorned in breathtaking patterns of mylanchi (henna), as she sits amidst a circle of dancers. While they sing and dance around the bride, they clap their hands rhythmically.

Kathakali – The epitome of Kerala’s performing arts

Kathakali is believed to have originated from Krishnanattam – a dance dedicated to retelling of Lord Krishna’s life. It is plausibly the artistic culmination of Koodiyattam – the oldest continuously performed theatre art form in India – and Krishnanattam from the medieval era. This 500 year old art tradition is still one of the most popular art forms in Kerala and people from all over the world are drawn to the state to experience it.

Margamkali – A Syrian Christian folk art

Margamkali is an ancient group dance practised and performed by St Thomas Christians and it existed before the arrival of Portuguese missionaries in Kerala. Traditionally, the performance is divided into two parts, Vattamkali – Round Dance and Parichamuttukali – Sword and Shield Dance, singing a particular ballad called Margamkali Pattu. The song narrates the life and word of Saint Thomas in Kerala.

Margam Kali is a popular activity that college students take part in for competitions

Duffmuttu – A social entertainment art form among Muslims

The Duffmuttu aka Dubhmuttu aka Duffkali is a folk art prevalent among Muslims of the Malabar region of Kerala. The art form derives its name from duff, a percussion instrument made of wood and ox skin. It is performed during festivals, nuptial ceremonies, Uroos (festivals connected with Mosques) and also for social entertainment.

Koodiyattam – The oldest theatre art form of India

Koodiyattam, officially recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, is a combination of ancient Sanskrit theatre with elements of Koothu – a South Indian performing art as old as the Sangam (300 BCE to 300 CE) era. The name Koodiyaattam, meaning playing or performing together, is believed to refer to the presence of more than one performer on stage, acting in consonance with the beats of the mizhavu drummers.

Koodiyattam was part of dramatised dance worship performed in temples

Kolkali – With elements drawn from Kalaripayattu – a martial art

Kolkali is a folk art performed in North Malabar region of Kerala. The dancers move in a circle, striking small sticks and keeping rhythm with special steps. The circle expands and contracts as the dance progresses. . The accompanying music gradually rises in pitch and the dance reaches its climax. Similar to many other performance art forms of Kerala, Kolkali has also drawn elements from the Kalaripayattu, the martial art of Kerala. Its origin can be traced back to days when Kalaripayattu was in vogue.

Parichamuttukali – Martial art dance adapting elements from Kalaripayattu

Parichamuttukali is a martial art dance where the dancers perform bearing swords and shields and follow movements rhythmic to the group leader’s – asan – song. As the music reaches a crescendo, the pace of the dance and the tempo of the clapping of shields and swords also heighten. The dancers are usually dressed in white loin cloths with red wrist-bands and sing in chorus.

Chakyarkoothu – Perhaps one the earliest form of stand-up comedy

One of the oldest classical theatre arts of Kerala, Chakyarkoothu is primarily a solo-dance involving a highly refined monologue where the performer narrates episodes from Hindu mythology. Later it evolved into a commentary on current socio-political events and personal comments.

A Chakyarkoothu artist donning with the unique headgear

Krishnanattam – Created by Manaveda, Zamorin Raja of northern Kerala

Krishnanattam originated as a devotive offering to Sri Krishna. In the evolution of dance drama, Krishnanattam is a milestone. It incorporated drama from esoteric performances like Koodiyattam; dance from ritual performances like Theyyam and folk dances like Kaikottikali. Today, Guruvayur temple is the sole patron of Krishnanattam.

Krishnanattam

Mohiniyaattam – A very popular classical dance art that evolved in Kerala

Mohiniyaattam is a classical dance form that developed and remains popular in Kerala, which has its roots, like all classical Indian dances, in the Natya Shastra – the ancient Hindu text on performance arts. It is traditionally a solo dance performed by women after years of extensive training.

This traditional dance form derives its name from Mohini – the mythical enchantress figure assumed by Lord Vishnu

Kummattikali – Mask dance

Kummattikali is the famous mask-dance of Kerala, prevalent in central and south Malabar region of the state. It is most prominent during the carnival of Onam. The performers move from house to house collecting small gifts in return for their funny gestures and dance moves. The costumes are the most interesting facet of Kummattikali as the dancers don heavily painted masks depicting faces of various mythological characters.

Mask-dance of Kerala
close-ad