Kerala is interlocked between the Arabian sea on the West and the Western
Ghats on the East, thus secluding it from the other states. This seclusion has shielded Kerala from the political or cultural transitions anywhere else in the country. Hence
the performing arts of the state have developed special characteristics.

Over the years, various clans and ethnic groups have influenced the culture of Kerala. The Aryans inhabited it first and were later joined by the Jains, the Buddhists and the Brahmins.

Cultural invasions led to the blending of various art forms. Koodiyattam for e.g, is a fusion of the local Dravidian culture and some Aryan influences. Krishnanattam, Kathakali, Thullal, Mohiniattam etc, are some of the local dances that arose out of the fusion.

The Mudiyettu is the earliest form of a ritualistic theatre surviving in Kerala and all later, more mature forms, such as the Koodiyattam, Krishnanattam and Kathakali, took their cue from this. The theme is the defeat of the demon Darika, who was terrorising the world, by the Goddess Bhadrakali.

The other Dances are :-

Mohiniattam
Kathakali
Krishnanattam
Thiruvathirakkali
Thullal
Teyyam
Chakyarkoothu
Koodiyattam