Kerala is the home to myriad art forms that are generally performed during temple festivals and celebrations. The colourful attires, the ethnic jewellery, the artistic make-up and the beautiful stage settings make these performances all the more special. The art forms of Kerala shed light on the rich cultural heritage of this land as well as the talent of its people.
Some of the famous art forms of Kerala, among many others are:
Kathakali
The most well known art form of Kerala, Kathakali is a Drishya Kavya (A story presented visually). It has several characters; the good and the evil, the gods and the demons. Each of these characters has specific make-up and costumes. Each character has his/her face painted in a colour that represents a trait of the character they play. Green symbolizes godliness while white represents spirituality. Red suggests violence and black implies evil. And yellow represents the combined characteristics of godliness and violence.
Mohiniyattom
A classical dance form, Mohiniyattom literally means the dance of the enchantress. A fusion of Kathakali and Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattom is a graceful dance usually performed solo. Though there are Nattuvans (Males who give training in Mohiniyattom), Mohiniyattom is generally never performed by males on stage. The costume worn is a nine yard, profusely pleated sari and a matching blouse. Traditional earrings called Kadukkan and Thoda, and necklaces called Illakathaali and Mullamottumala are also worn.
Kalaripayattu The martial art of Kerala, Kalaripayattu has two forms – Vadakkan and Thekkan. Of these, Vadakkan Kalari is more popular as it involves spell binding moves with swords of various kinds. Kalari is practiced with a variety of swords, spears, daggers and maces of different sizes and shapes. A form of self-defense, Kalaripayattu involves several postures and moves that can take years to be learnt.
Chaakyar Koothu
Performed in a special dance hall called the Koothambalam, Chaakyar Koothu is performed by people belonging to the Chaakyar community. In this art form the Chaakyar or the performer narrates a story in a humourous way. The Chaakyaar’s face is adorned by smearing soot and turmeric. He wears a huge earring called a Kundalam on one ear and betel leaves and geranium flowers on the other. He wears a girdle and bangles and his head is tied with a red cloth.
Maargamkali
Margamkali is an ancient art form of the Syrian Christians of Kerala. A dozen dancers sing and dance, around a lighted lamp ("nilavilakku") wearing the traditional white dhoti ("mundu") and blouse ("chatta"). The lamp represents Christ and the performers his disciples. Margamkali does not involve any instruments other than two small palm sized cymbals played by the person who sings the song.
Oppana Performed on the occasion of a Muslim wedding, Oppana is an art form prevalent in the districts of Kannur, Malappuram and Kozhikode in Kerala. The bride decked in all her wedding finery is seated on a Peetam (A tall chair) and her female friends and relatives dance around her, according to the rhythm of the Maapilapaattu being sung.
Ottamthullal
This performing art was created by the legendary Malayalam poet Kunjan Nambiar. The Ottamthullal artist is donned in green make-up and colourful costumes and he recites the Thullal lyrics (dance songs), while acting and dancing himself. Earlier Thullal was performed only by men but now it is practiced by women too. The lyrics of the song sung have a satirical touch which lets the artist improvise on the humour.
Theyyam
Theyyam is an altered form of the word Deyvam meaning God. The person who plays the deity in the dance is referred to as Kolam which means figure or shape in Malayalam. The striking feature about Theyyam is its multi-coloured waist dress made out of long, thinly sliced shreds of bamboo, tied on to the waist with a bright red cloth. Peacock feathers, flowers and palm leaves are also used. An elaborate head gear worn by the performers is hard to miss. So are their painted faces that give an exaggerated look to their eyes and mouth. It is classified as Thaandava, the masculine form or Laasya, the feminine form.
Kummattikali
A purely secular form of entertainment Kummattis (Kummatikali Dancers) can be seen going from house to house to perform and entertain people in return for gifts or food items during the festival of Onam. Kummatis have a heavily painted wooden mask depicting the faces of Lord Krishna, Narada, or Hunters. The dancers wear skirts woven out of plaited grass. Some cover their whole body with bunches of grass for a more bushy appearance.
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