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Dances of Kerala
Dances of Kerala
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.
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