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Kerala Tourism
> Folk Dance of Kerala
Kathakali
Kerala owes its transnational fame to this nearly 300 years old classical
dance form which combines facets of ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime.
It is said to have evolved from other performing arts like Kootiyattam,
Krishnanattam and Kalarippayattu. Kathakali explicates ideas and stories
from the Indian epics and Puranas.
Chavittunatakom
A Christian art form of Kerala. Evolved at the turn of the 16th Century AD
during the Portuguese colonization and bears definite traces of the European
Christian Miracle Play. In this musical drama, the actors wear Greco-Roman
costumes and even the stage props bear several foreign influences.
Oppana
A dance form essential to the wedding entertainment and festivities of the
Malabar Muslims. Maidens and young female relatives sing and dance around
the bride, clapping their hands.The songs of Mappilappattu, are first sung
by the leader and are repeated by the chorus.
Krishnanattom
A spectacle for both the scholar and the simple rustic. The visual effect is
enhanced by varied and colourful facial make-up with larger-than-life-masks,
made of light wood and cloth padding, for certain characters. The characters
who do not wear masks have specific facial colours applied within the frame
of a white chutti.
Mohiniyattom
The sinuous dance of the enchantress, this is a distinctive classical dance
form of Kerala. Slow, graceful, swaying movements of the body and limbs and
highly emotive eye and hand gestures are unique to this dance form. The
simple, elegant gold-filigreed dress, in pure white or ivory, is akin to the
traditional attire of the women of Kerala.
Kakkarissi natakom
Kakkarissi natakom is a satirical dance-drama based on the puranic legends
of Lord Siva and his consort Parvati when they assumed human forms as
Kakkalan and Kakkathi - a nomadic tribe of fortune tellers. The legend only
serves as a skeletal framework for the play, which often turns into a subtle
critique of contemporary society.
Thiruvathirakali
Thiruvathirakali is a dance performed by women, in order to attain
everlasting marital bliss, on Thiruvathira day 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.
Kolkkali
A folk art mainly of the agrarian classes, Kolkkali is a highly rhythmic
dhey never miss a beat. In Malabar, Kolkkali is more popular among Muslim
men.
Thullal
Thullal is a solo performance combining the dance and recitation of stories
in verse. Staged during temple festivals, the performer explicates the
verses through expressive gestures. The themes are based on mythology. This
satiric art form was introduced in the18th century by the renowned poet
Kunchan Nambiar .
Kootiyattom
Kootiyattam 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.
Kootiyattam 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.
Duffmuttu
Duffmuttu is also known as Aravanamuttu. It is a group performance popular
among the Muslims of Malabar. Duffmuttu is staged as a social event during
festivals and nuptial ceremonies.
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