Folk Dances & Music of Kerala
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.)
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.
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.
Interested
? Book Tour through our Members
