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Art & Culture
Kerala also known as the 'God in God's Own Country' boast
of physical and natural attributes that attract a lot of tourists every year from
India as well as abroad. Besides the physical beauty, Kerala has a rich cultural
heritage, which fascinates the tourists a lot. The art and culture of Kerala portrays
various dance forms and martial arts performed with the accompaniment of vocal
and instrumental music. All these art forms are performed during some celebration
or festivity.
 Bharata
Natyam is the oldest form of classical dance in India. Origin of this style of
dance can be traced to the Natya Sastra written around 4000 BC by sage Bharatha.
Known as the 'Poetry in Motion', this dance form was originally known as 'dasi
attam,' a temple dance performed by young women called 'devadasis.' Bharata Natyam
is most commonly performed by women rarely by men. Strict guidelines are laid
down describing every single aspect of the dance form including the attributes
required to be an accomplished dancer.
Chakyarkoothu, also called koothu,
is one of the oldest classical theatre arts of Kerala. It is a solo dance is usually
performed in the koothambalam of temples to the accompaniment of the mizhavu and
elathalam. The performance starts with the invocation of the presiding deity of
the temple. The narration of the story, generally picked from the Epics, is portrayed
with the thandava dance movements, gestures and facial expression according to
the guidelines given in the Natya Sastra. Koothu is marked for the presence of
comic element, which adds to its dramatic character. The costume worn during the
performance is colorful and unconventional with an unusual headgear.
Kathakakli is the classical dance drama of Kerala based on the guidelines laid
in the Natya Sastra. This elaborate art form is usually begins in the evenings
and continues till dawn. It is an inherent part of all temple and cultural festivals
in Kerala. The costumes and makeup are ornamental, colorful and elaborate so that
the gestures and expressions of the performer are easily seen and understood.
The performers do not speak or sing but enact the story through hand gestures,
graceful body movements and facial expressions especially of the eyes. The themes
of this dance form are from rich and vibrant mythology of Indian culture. Music
is an essential feature of Kathakali and two vocalists are there who sing to the
beats of a chengila (gong), elathalam (small cymbals), chenda and maddalam.
 Mohiniyattam
is a classical solo dance style, which is a blend of the grace and elegance of
Bharata Natyam with the strength and force of Kathakali to build a mood of sringara
or romance. The dance is usually performed on specially made stages during the
temple festivals. The costume for the dance is the traditional white mundu and
melmundu of Kerala and with the hairs gathered up at one side of the head and
adorned with jasmine flowers in the traditional style.
Kalampattu or
Kalamezhuthu Pattu is a folk art form that is practiced in the northern parts
of Kerala. More than 600 years old art form, it is performed by a group of five
to fifteen people in the Bhadrakali and Ayyappa temples. The ritual is performed
around the Kolam, which is an elaborate picture usually of Bhadrakali drawn on
the floor with the use five colors. The dance is performed in the light of temple
torches continue all through the night. A series of songs or kalampattu are sung
to the accompaniment of nanthuni and elathalams.
Kaliyoottu is an eight
daylong folk ritual, which depicts the combat between goddess Durga and the demon
Darika. The ritual is performed at various stages and the climax of the play is
called Paranettu. This ritual is performed on a specially constructed 100 feet
high stage on the eighth day.
Kavadiyattam is a ritualistic dance form
performed by a group of devotees wearing bright yellow or saffron costumes with
ash smeared all over the body. The dance depicts Kavads carrying kavadis on their
shoulders. The beats of instruments like udukku and chenda and the nadaswaram
are integral part of the kavadi procession. It is usually performed in the Subramanya
temples.
 Kalaripayattu
is the complete system of martial arts of Kerala. It is considered as one of the
oldest and most scientific martial arts in the world. The training of Kalaripayattu
aims at the perfect co-ordination of body and mind and the traditional training
in a Kalari include specialization in the indigenous medical practices too. Kalaris
are also centers of religious worship.
Velkali is one of the most detailed
and dramatic martial folk arts of Kerala and is usually performed within the temple
premises. It is called thirumumbil vela when performed before the deity and kulathilvela
when performed near the temple pond. Fifty or more performers dressed in the traditional
attire of soldiers, bearing colorful shields and swords or long canes, dance in
war like rhythm in perfect beat of the thakil, suddha maddalam, elathalam, kuzhal
and trumpets. A few fighting techniques of Kalaripayattu are also presented in
the course of the performance.
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