Keral.com - Art of Kerala

	Kathakali Kathakali is the dance drama of Malabar, which is now culturally, and politically Kerala’s soul. It was Kottarakkara Thampuran who invented this art form. The costume of Kathakali has been much influenced by Chaakyarkoothu and Koodiyattom, the two older forms of dramatic representations in vogue in Kerala. Kathakali employs the four abhinayas, viz Sattwika, Aangika, Vaacika and Aaharya.The symbols of the hand (mudras) play an important role in Kathakali.The make-up of Kathakali character is unique.The green colour represents Saattvika which reveals godliness and white represents spirituality. Red represents Rajasic which reveals violence. Black represents Tamasik and it reveals evil. Yellow represents the combined character of Saattvik and Rajasik. Kathakali characters are grouped into five major role-types, each having a specific make-up and costume. These role types are Minukku, Paccha, Katti, Taadi, and Kari. Kathakali has seven items to be presented – Thodayam, Purappadu, Thiranokku, Kummi, Kathakali, Kalaasham and the concluding benediction dance.
	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. In the past, the Chavittunatakom was performed on open stages, though sometimes the interior of a church was also a venue. The language is a colloquial mix of Tamil and Malayalam.
	Oppana Oppana is a dance form and a performing art practised by the Muslim women in the Malabar region of Kerala, especially in the districts of Kannur, Calicut and Malappuram. It is performed to commemorate the nuptial celebrations of the bride and is part of the wedding festivities. It is a famed form of social entertainment. Maidens and the female relatives of the bride sing and dance clapping their hands. The bride is decked in finery and intricate ornaments and seated in the middle on a high seat. The bride’s friends and other young ladies clap their hands rhythmically to the beat of the song and dance around her. The songs sung are called Mappilapattu and are sung firstly by the leader and the remaining women lend the chorus. In some households the men also perform the Oppana for the groom’s entertainment. In these cases it is performed before leaving for the bride’s place
	Mohiniyattom Mohiniyattom is essentially a solo dance form performed by females. Literally it means the dance of the enchantress. The main emotion in Mohiniyattom is Sringaaram. There are five basic gaits in the art. This classical dance form of Kerala was first performed by women in temples, over a thousand years ago, as an offering to God, their beloved. The movements may appear simple, but effort is required to capture the grace, suggestive of ocean waves, as seen in the movements of goddess Mohini, the Enchantress. In Mohiniyattam, the Lasya element of dancing is predominant This dance form exudes enchantment, grace and passion. Mohiniyattam is a fusion of ' Bharathanatyam ' and ' Kathakali ', as it combines the graceful elegance of Bharatanatyam and the dynamism and vigour of Kathakali. The performances are done only by women.
	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. The predominant colours used are dark green, flesh tint and deep rose. Most of the characters wear red vests and flowing 'Uthariyams'. The characters of Krishna, Arjuna and Garuda wear dark blue vests. The traditional performance lasts for eight days and covers the whole span of Krishna's life from his birth to 'Swargarohanam' or ascension to the heavens. Orchestral accompaniments are Maddalam, Ilathalam and Chengila. Krishnanattom, though boasting of a unique choreography, assumes more the nature of a Morality Play, seldom presuming to lay claim to the theatrical sophistry so integral to Kathakali and Kootiyattam.
	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. The sinuous movements executed by a group of dancers around a nilavilakku, embody 'lasya' or the amorous charm and grace of the feminine. The dance follows a circular, pirouetting pattern accompanied by clapping of the hands and singing.
	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. Humour, satire and social criticism are the hallmarks of Thullal. The make up, though simple, is very much akin to that of Kathakali. The Thullal dancer is supported by a singer who repeats the verses and is accompanied by an orchestra of mridangam or thoppi maddalam (percussions) and cymbals. There are three related forms of Thullal - Ottanthullal , Seethankanthullal and Parayanthullal - of which the first is the most popular. The three are distinguished by the costumes worn and the metre of the verses.
	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. The Koodal Manickyam temple at Irinjalakkuda and the Vadakkumnatha temple at Thrissur are the main centres where Kootiyattam is still performed annually.
	Aravanamuttu/Duffmuttu Aravanamuttu is also known as Duffmuttu. It is a group performance popular among the Muslims of Malabar. Duffmuttu is staged as a social event during festivals and nuptial ceremonies. The artistes beat on a quaint round percussion instrument called the Duffu, the leader of the group sings the lead, while the others form the chorus and move in circles. The songs are often tributes to martyrs, heroes and saints.