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Kolkali is a group dance form of the farming community in Kerala. Twelve to twenty four dancers move rhythmically in a circle around the ceremonial lamp, tapping the two feet long wooden sticks held in their hands.
Pooram is the great elephant pageant of certain temples in Kerala. Bejeweled tuskers numbering ten to hundred, line up for this exotic spectacle with mahouts sitting atop them carrying the muthukuda (tinsel covered silk parasols) and waving the venchamaram (white tufts). The pageant is accompanied by the panchavadyam, which gradually works up to a crescendo. The most fascinating aspect of the pooram is the Kudamattom ritual; the ceremonial synchronized changing of the colorful parasols held aloft the elephants.
Pulikali or 'Kaduvakali' (the dance of the tiger) is usually performed during the Onam festival. Groups of three or more dancers with pastes smeared over their body like the stripes on tiger's body, captivate the viewers with their energetic dances. The Pulikali once performed all over the State is now seen only in some parts of Thrissur and Palakkad districts. The scenes enacted include the tiger catching a goat, being hunted down and so on. This dance is accompanied by the loud beating of traditional percussion instruments like the udukku, thakil and chenda.
Kalaripayattu is the comprehensive system of martial arts of Kerala, regarded as one of the oldest and most scientific in the world. Kalaripayattu training aims at the ultimate co-ordination of mind and body. The traditional training in a kalari includes specialisation in indigenous medical practices too. Kalaris are also centres of religious worship. There were Kalaris strewn around the state which are recognized by the Government as the official training centres for new recruits in the armed force.
Vadithallu is almost similar to Kolkali and is a folk dance in which artistes tap the short sticks held in both hands.
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Kerala's unique selling point is its rich culture which was mellowed by
centuries-old rich heritage. Culture and heritage are pervasive presence
across the state and are kept alive through the state's performing arts.
Sukhavasam provides tourism information about Kerala arts and cultural tours.
Find folks arts and many other classical art forms of Kerala. Some of the
famous Kerala arts and classical arts of Kerala are:
Bharata Natyam is the most ancient of all the classical dance forms in
India, which are based on Natya Shastra. This dance form which is called
poetry in motion, has its hoary origins in the natya sastra written about
4000 b.c. by sage bharatha. This art form grossly disallows new fangled
innovations or gimmicks except in repertoire and forms of presentation. It
was originally known as 'dasi attam,' a temple art performed by young women
called 'devadasis.' Bharatha natyam is commonly performed by women, but
sometimes by men also.
Mohiniyattam is a semi-classical dance form. It contains elements of
Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi and Odissi. It is based on the story of ‘Mohini’,
the mythological seductress. The dance is usually performed on specially put
up stages in connection with temple festivals. The costume is the
traditional white mundu and melmundu of Kerala. The hair is gathered and put
up at the side of the head and adorned with jasmine, in the traditional
style.
Kathakali, this spectacular classical dance drama of Kerala based on the
guidelines laid by sage bharatha's natya sastra, the ancient treatise on
dance and drama, is over 500 years old. Kathakali is the most refined, most
scientific and elaborately defined dance form of Kerala. It is a very
exciting art form demanding not only complete control of practically every
fibre of the artiste’s body, but also intense sensitivity of emotion. This
elaborate art form is usually performed in the evenings and continues up to
dawn, and is an integral part of all temple and cultural festivals in Kerala.
The costumes and makeup are ornamental, elaborate and designed to give a
superhuman effect. The actors do not speak or sing but enact the story
through mudras (hand gestures), graceful movements and facial expressions.
The themes of this awe inspiring art are taken from India's rich and
colorful mythology. Music is an essential feature of Kathakali, with two
vocalists who sing to the accompaniment of a chengila (gong), elathalam
(small cymbals), chenda and maddalam.
Chakyar Koothu, this is a very ancient dance form of Kerala. It is believed
to have been introduced by the early Aryan immigrants. This is performed by
the members of the Chakkiar caste. In Chakkiarkoothu, the story is recited
in a quasi-dramatic style with emphasis on eloquent declarations with
appropriately suggestive facial expressions and hand gestures. The only
accompaniments are the cymbals and the drum known as the mizhavu, made of
copper with a narrow mouth on which is stretched a piece of parchment.
Thiruvathirakali is a dance performed by women singing in praise of Lord
Shiva, to attain everlasting marital bliss. This dance is performed on
Thiruvathira day (the sixth lunar asterism) in the Malayalam month of Dhanu
(December- January). The dance is a celebration of marital fidelity and the
female energy, for this is what brought Kamadeva (the god of love) back to
life after he was reduced to ashes by the ire of Lord Siva. In this dance
form, the women of the house dance elegantly around the ceremonial lamp or
floral decoration on festive occasions to the accompaniment of the
thiruvathira pattu (song).
Markkam Kali, it's a counterpart of Thiruvathira Kali played by women
belonging to the Christian community. The dancers attired in traditional
white mundu (dothi), chatta (Jacket), rich jewellery including Mekkamothiram
(an ornamental ring worn by the Christian ladies on the upper lobe of the
ear, now considered old fashioned). The dancers sing in praise of Jesus
Christ to the varying rhythms of drum beating.
Oppana, dance by Muslims girls while doing bridal makeup.
It is an all girls' performance in the bridal chamber. Friends and other
girls of the bride's age sing to the rhythm of clapping hands in fast tempo
and dance teasing the bride on the eve of marriage preparing her for the
ceremony doing her face make up, manicuring and applying henna on the palms
and feet.
Kaliyoottu is an eight day long colorful folk ritual which
been acts the combat between goddess durga and the demon darika. The ritual
is performed in different stages. The climax of the play - the ritual called
paranettu - is performed on a specially constructed 100 feet high stage on
the eighth day.
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