Kerala Tourism
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Classical Dances
Arts And Dances
Theyyam is one of the most outstanding folk arts of Kerala and has
its origin in the northern parts of the state. Also called Thirayattam,
(because every thira or village performed this ritualistic art at the village
temple) this primitive ritualisic art demands long hours preparation before
the performance.
TheTheyyam (a form or shape) represents a mythological, devine or heroic
character. There are over 350 Theyysma in northen Kerala. The hood, headdress
, face painting, Breast plate, bracelets,garlands and fabric of attire of
each of these Theyyams are distinct and meticulously crafted according to
the character presented. Musical accomaniments are chenda and veekuchenda
(drums), elathalam and Kuzhal(horn). This art form is mostly performed in
Bhagavathy temples. Performances are on between october and May. Thira is
the main subdivision of Theyyam.
Cherumarkali is a harvest dance in which the dancers, both men and women
move in a swift rhythm, linked in a back lock or holding arms. The costumes
are in striking red and white.
Kaalavela is a spectacular procession of huge, gaudily decorated motifs
of bulls (kaala.)
Kalampattu (kalamezhuthu pattu) is another folk art form that belongs
to the northern regions of Kerala. This art form which is over 600years
old is performed by a group of five to fifteen people in Bhadrakali and
Ayyappa temples. The rituals is performed around the kolam -an elaborate
picture, usually of Bhadrakali, drawn on the floor, using five colours.
The performance in the light of temple torches lasts through the night.
The singers are neatly dressed with women wearing their hair on the side
of the head. A series of songs (kalampattu) are sung to the accompaniment
of nanthuni and elathalam.
Kalaripayattu is the comprehensive system of martial arts if 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.
Kaliyoottu is an eight day long colourful folk ritual which re-enacts
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 eight
day.
Kanniyarkali (Deshathukali) which is a ritual art and a swift dance
form, performed to the accompaniment of devotional folk songs and the
resounding drum beats is usually performed in Bhagavathy temples.
Kavadiyattam is a ritual dance offering in Subramanya temples. The group
of devotees wearing bright yellow or saffron costumes with ash smeared all
over the body, dance in a frenzy carrying Kavadis on their shoulders. Kavadis
are colourful bow shaped wooden structures rising six to ten feet high.
The ambalakavadi is structured and decorated like a temple. The Pookavadi
has clusters of colourful paper, cloth or plastic flowers arranged on them.
The resounding beats of percussion instruments like udukku and chenda and
the nadaswaram are characteristic of the kavadi procession.
Kettukazhcha is a spectacular pageant of colourfully decorated effigies
of gods and goddesses, and images of animals like the horse, bull etc.
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.
Kummattikali is a temple folk art and an awe inspiring mask dance.
Kumbhamkali / kumbhamthullal (pot dance) is a folk ritual dance of devotees
carrying pots on the head.
Kuthiottam is a ritual art exclusive to the Devi temples of south Kerala.
A team of artistes perform this song and dance ritual. The songs include
those in praise of
Durga and other deities, Padapattu (war songs) and Kalaripattu (martial
art songs). Instrumental accompaniments are mainly percussions, ganjira,
bells and chaplankatta. Faces are painted and red curtains are used as
partitions on the stage.
Pooram is the great elephant pageant of certain temples in Kerala. Bejewelled
tuskers numbering ten to hundred, line up for this exotic spectacle with
mahouts siting 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 synchronised
changing of the colourful parasols held aloft the elephants.
Mamangam (the term today describes any endeavour that is reckless and
expensive). This festival is a replication of the cultural extravaganza
held every 12 years by the zamorins of Malabar in the middle ages. Royal
families, principalities and chieftains from all over Kerala used to participate
in this great cultural event which was held on the grounds of the Thirunavaya
Navamukunda Temple at Ponnani in Malappuram.
Mayilnritham/Mayilattom is a ritual art performed by artistes in peacock
costume. It is performed in Subramanya in south Kerala. Oppana is a Muslim
bridal group dance.
Padayani (literally, a column of army) is a colourful ritual art which
is symbolic of the victory march of goddess Kali after she defeated the
demon Darika. The elaborate costume of this art form bears slight resemblance
to Theyyam.
Poothamkali (pootham) is a folk art more commonly performed in the Bhagavathy
temples of Malappuram. Pootham is the character who accompanied Durga in
her combat with Darika asura. The performers, usually three in number, undergo
a week of austerity before the presentation. Colourful and intricately designed
masks carved out of the pala and murukku trees are the highlights of the
attire. The fifteen minute performance starts slowly and works up to a frenzy
towards the end. The thudi provides rhythm to the dance which is usually
rendered at night.
Pulikali also known as kaduvakali is a common sight in Kerala during
festive seasons. Performers painted like tigers in bright yellow, red and
black, dance to the loud beats of percussion instruments like the udukku
and thakil.
Sarpa pattu (sarpam thullal) or snake dance is a ritual art performed
in shrines and temples devoted to Nagaraja the king of serpents. It is performed
by women who belong to the Pulluvar caste, in a specially decorated pandal,
before the sarpakalam (snake designs on the floor). The women dance in a
frenzy to the rhythm of the sarpa pattu, until they fall down exhausted.
The sarpa pattu is performed to the accompaniment of veena, kudom and kaimani.
Thattumelkoothu is a devotional folk art. The dance is performed on
a special platform which carried around the temple by devotees even as the
performance goes on.
Thidampu Nritham which is over 700 years old, is a ritualistic art form
of North Kerala. The dancer moves to the rhythmic beats of the chenda
carrying the thidampu (the idol of the deity) on his head. Seven artists
accompany him on percussion instruments while two others hold aloft the
ritualistic lamps. The artiste wears much jewellery and a decorated turban
known as Ushnipeetam.
Thiruvathirakali is a dance form which is a pointer to the old customs
followed in Nair tharawads (joint families) where 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).
Thiyyattu is a devotional offering to Bhadrakali and Sree Ayyappa. This
ritual art is performed in a specially decorated pandal, before the Kalam
(five colour design on the floor), the traditional lamp (nilavilaku), and
peetam (stool). The performance usually starts at dusk. The artists sing
and dance to the rhythmic music of the chenda, elathalam and chengila. The
costumes bear resemblances to Ottanthullal and Kathakali, the distinctive
features are huge jingling anklets and face makeup with tiny white dots.
Tholpavakoothu which is said to have originated in the 18th century
is also known as pavakoothu (puppet play) or nizhalattam (shadow play).
This entertainment art is performed on a special stage called koothumadam
in the temple courtyard. Puppets (pavakal), usually representing four characters
from the Ramayana, are arranged behind a long white screen, in front of
bright wick lamps. The puppets made of deer skin are made to dance to songs
from the Kamba Ramayana (the Tamil version of the epic). The performance
starts late at night and continues up to daybreak.
Vadithallu is almost similar to Kolkali and is a folk dance in which
artistes tap the short sticks held in both hands.
Velakali is one of the most elaborate and spectacular martial folk
arts of Kerala. This ritual art form is usually presented within the temple
premises and is called Thirumumbil vela when performed before the deity
and Kulathivela when performed near the temple pond. Fifty or more performers
in the traditional attire of soldiers, bearing colourful shields and swords
or long canes, dance with war like steps in perfect orchestration with the
resounding rhythm of the thakil, suddha maddlam, elathalam, kuzhal and trumpets.
A few fighting techniques of Kalaripayattu are also displayed in the course
of the performance.
Koothambalam: Special hall in the temple premises for ritual and classical
art performances.
Koothumadam: Stage specially erected for certain ritual and classical
art performances in the temple.
Arts And Dances, Classical Dances- Reservation Form
