Arts

Kerala Arts

Kerala is the land of natural beauty. Thats why we call it the 'God's own country!'. Kerala has a rich history of arts and culture. Kerala has its own typical art forms which reflect the life and outlook of the people. From the renowned Kathakali, considered to be the complete art form as its synthesises all that is best in the fields of drama, music and dance, to the folk dances which are reflections of the rhythmic impulses of a sensitive people.

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. 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 colourful 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.

Kalaripayattu

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.

Thullal

This is popular form of dance drama was founded by Kunchan Nambiar. It is originated as temple art. So the music is on stories in the puranas. The actor himself sings while dancing. Some paint is applied on the face and the dancer wears a head gear. There are three types of Thullal. They are Ottam Thullal, Parayan Thullal and Seethankan Thullal. The dress is different for these three types.

Theyyam

Theyyam is a form of religious dance perofrmed in temples of Goddesses in north Malabar area. The dancer wear special dress and head gears. There are songs. Instruments like chenda and ilathalam are used.

Chakyarkoothu

Also called koothu, is one of the oldest classical theatre arts of kerala. The solo dance is usually presented in the koothambalam of temples to the accompaniment of the mizhavu and elathalam. The performance begains with an invocation to the presiding deity of the temple. The narration is enlivened with the thandava dance movements, gestures and facial expression according to the guidelines in natya sastra. Koothu is distinct for its comic element which adds to its dramatic character. Themes are usually from the epics. The costume is colourful and bizarre with a strange headgear.

Mohiniyattam

This classical solo dance form combines the graceful elegance of bharatanatyam with the vigour and dynamism of kathakali, to create a mood that is predominantly sringara (erotic). 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, int the traditional style.

Thiruvathirakkali

Thiruvathirakkali is performed only by women or girls. They stand in a circle round a nilavilakku. They sing and dance around the nilavilakku. They are usually dressed uniformly in the traditional Kerala style. This is some sort of a Hindu religious art. It is usually performed in connection with Onam and the Hindu festival day ‘Thiruvathira’. The songs are chiefly praising Hindu Gods.

Chavittunadakam

This was very early form of drams that came into being in Kerala. Importance is given to steps than to movements of the hands. Chavittunadakam is based on biblical stories. It was performed by christian artists. Stories of legendary heroes are also used. The most famous story is ‘Caralman Charitham’.

Kavadiyattam

Kavadiyattam is a ritualistic dance form performed by devotees. 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 tall. 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. It is usually offered in subramanya temples.

Koodiyattam

Koodiyattam 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, Kootiyattam evolved in the 9th century AD. Koodiyattam is enacted inside the temple theatre, there are two or more characters onstage at the same time, with the Chakkiars providing the male cast and the Nangiars playing the female roles. The Nangiars beat the cymbals and recite verses in Sanskrit, while in the background Nambiars play the Mizhavu, a large copper drum.