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Art and Culture |
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Kerala was
known in distant countries in ancient times as the land of
spices, cardamom, nutmeg and pepper. But the real treasure of
Kerala lies in the cultural heritage of its people, in their
ballads, their songs and dances, their rituals and their
intellectual pursuits. |
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There are about 35 different types of tribal people in Kerala,
tribal dances like Elelakkaradi, Paniyarkali and Mankali still
survive. Of over 50 folk dances in Kerala, the popular ones are
Kaliyattom, Kolam Thullal, Kolkali, Velakali and
 Kaikottikal.
All these are performed in accompaniment of songs and drumming
and often in colourful ornamental costumes. From these arose
Kerala's classical dances like Koothu, Kathakali, Mohiniattam
and Patokom. Kathakali uses vivid and eloquent mudras (hand
signs). A visually powerful art form, the Kathakali dance dramas
are based on stories from the two great indian epics - the
Ramayana and the Mahabharata. It is said to have evolved from a
rivalry between two princely families. One had written a story
cycle revolving around the life of Krishna, called Krishnattam,
the other around the life of Rama called Ramattam. Mohiniattam,
which literally means "the dance of the enchantress", is
sensuous and lyrical. Dancers display grace as well as passion.
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Martial Arts of Kerala - Kalaripayattu - consists of a series of
intricate movements that train the body and mind. The discipline
is continually practised and complemented by the Kerala's famous
ayurvedic and nature cure techniques.These are believed to have
travelled to eastern China, where they inspired the evolution of
other martial art forms. 'Verumkai' is the final and most
difficult of lessons taught in the kalari. The others are
Maithozhil - combat through kicks, Kolathiri - combat using
sticks and Angathiri - the use of metal weapons.
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Kathakali |
Mohiniyattam |
Folk Dances > |
Thiruvathirakkali
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Margamkali |
Kolkali |
Oppana
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Dance Drama > Yatrakali |
Ochirakali |
Chavittunatakam
| Krishnatam |
Ramanatam |
Semiclassical Dance > Thullal
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Ottan Thullal |
Seethankan Thullal |
Parayan Thullal ||
Koodiyattom
| Nanniar Koothu |
Ritual Arts > Teyyam |
Kalam -
Kalampattu | Mudiyettu |
Kotamuri |
Poorakkali |
Parichamuttukali |
Pampithullal or
Sarpam Thullal
| Velakali |
Patayani | Martial Arts >
Kalari |
Chavettu pada |
Music >
Introduction |
Literary works |
Swati tirunal |
Other Music
composers and Singers |
Folk Songs |
Mappila pattukal |
Christian Songs
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Architecture >
Budhist & Jaina
vestiges | Mosques |
Churches |
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Kathakali |
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Kerala is known
the world over by its own performing art form, the Kathakali. "Katha"
means story and "Kali" stands for dance. It is a beautiful mix
of dance, drama and music that the connoisseurs of art world
qualified as 'a total art form of immense sophistication and
power'. This is a form of dance formerly confined only to the
festival stages in temples.
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 It
is a mime show, dancing with mudras (formulated hand gestures
conveying the text of lyrics) and specialised dancing steps
following the song rendered in the background by a singer to the
accompaniment of Chenda, Maddalam (country drums), Chenkila and
Elathalam (Cymbals). Face painted greenand made up with spot of
sacred sandal paste on the brow, eye-lined with mascara, lip
toned by cherry and white chin mask, the dancer dons a colourful
costume and rich and impressive crown and jewellery. A
traditional pedestal Nilavilakku (oil lamp) with sixty wicks on
both sides lit together lights the dancing floor. There are four
types of make up. Pachcha (green) face painted green and don
sober and beautiful attires denoting the godly or virtuous
character. Thadi (beard); divided into Chuvanna Thadi (red
beard) depicting aggressive and demoniac characters, Karutha
Thadi (black beard) depicting aborigines, cavemen and foresters
and Vella Thadi (white beard) representing Rishis, Saints,
Preceptors and other intellectuals. Kari (carbon black)
representing mean characters and Minukku (refined) presenting
women and Brahmins. |
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There is a school
of thought that Ramanattam could be the ancestor of Kathakali
for very many similarities in the presentations, costumes,
acting and background music could be cited in both. The stage
decor, costumes, make up, and mudras as seen today are purported
to be improvements bestowed gradually to this art form by two
veteran Namboothiris, Kalladikkodan and Kaplingadan Manas.
Centuries down, there developed a branch of literature known as
"Kathakali literature" and compositions of poet laureates like
Kottayath thampuran, Unnayi Warrier, Koyithampuran, Vayaskara
Mooss are milestones in the history of Kathakali.
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