Kathakali
Dance
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kootiyattom
Kootiyattom 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.
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.
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.
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.
Velakali
Velakali is a spectacular martial dance performed in a
few temples of Southern Kerala by Nair warriors holding wooden swords and shields.
The dancers, clad in traditional clothes and colourful headgear of medieval Nair
soldiers...
