KERALA ARTS

KERALA ARTS

    Kerala has a rich tradition in art and dance forms like any land, Kerala also has it own typical art forms, which reflect the life and outlook of the people. ‘Kathakali’ is the most popular dance of the state. It is unique in several features and can be distinguished on the basis of make-up and costumes. It comprises of Both ‘Thandva’ and ‘Lesya’ elements of dancing. Women generally do not participate in this dance. ‘Mohiniyattam’ is another typical dance of Kerala. ‘Ottamthullal’ is solo dance in which the dance wears colourful coustumes as in ‘Kathakali’

KATHAKALI

Kathakali is a stylised dance-drama? Is it a pantomime? Can it be called a classical ballet? One of the world's stop-ranking poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore was instantly impressed by the aesthetic range and the narative techniques me Kathakali when Kalamandalam presented a programs go Santiniketan. Kathakali was born only in the 17th century

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KOODIYATTAM

Koodiyattam is the sole surviving classical Sanskrit theatre in India. It is a two thousand year old theatre-tradition. Traditionally Koothu and koodiyattam are the privileges of the temple castes Chakyars (the women of the Nambiars) enact the male-characters. Nambiars play Mizhavu, the major percussion-instrument in Koodiyattam. 

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 MOHINIYATTAM

There is no precise historical evidence to establish the antiquity of Mohiniyattam, the classical female dance-tradition of Kerala. Probably it was evolved in the seventeenth century. In the court of King Swathi Thirunal who ruled Travancore (South Kerala) in the 18th century, Mohiniyattam, the classical dance of Tamil Nadu. The post-Swarthy period witnessed the downfall of Mohiniyattam. 'The dance of the enchantress' slipped into eroticism to satisfy the epicurean-life of some provincial satraps and feudal Lords. Poet Vallathol rescued Mohiniyattam from total extinction. It was added to the curriculum of Kalamandalam in 1930.  The makeup and dressing for Mohiniyattam is simple and she wears sandal coloured jacket and sari. Jasmine flowers adorn her tied up hair. She decorates her eyes with Kajal and the lips are reddened. The theme of Mohiniyattam is devotion to love of God. Vishnu or Krishna is more often the hero. We feel his invisible presence when the heroine or her friend (sakhi) describes him through hand-gestures, delicate and circular body-movements

THEYYAM

A ritual dance form of Kerala, glorifying the goddess. Themes revole around the triumph of the goddess over the demon Daruka and other evil characters. Always performed by men,  they also enact female roles wearing exotic makeup and colorful costumes.  Theyyam also known as Kaaliyaattam, it is a ritual dance popular in north Kerala or the erstwhile Kolathunadu. Theyyam incorporates dance, mime and music and enshrines the rudiments of ancient tribal cultures which attached great importance to the worship of heroes and the spirits of ancestors. Of the over 400 theyyams performed, the most spectacular one are those of Raktha Chamundi, Kari Chamundi, Muchilottu Bhagavathi, Wayanadu Kulaveni, Gulikan and Pottan. These are performed in front of shrines, sans stage or curtains, by persons belonging to the Vannan, Malayan and other related castes.

THULLAL

Thullal is the successor of Kathakali. Kunchan Nambiar who lived two centuries ago wrote the text of Thullal and choreographed it for the stage. All the sixty plays of Thullal composed by Kunchan Nambiar are replete with humour, sarcasm and social criticism. Thullal has three divisions - Seethankan, Ottan and Parayan. The distinction between them lies mostly in the makeup and costumes and to some extent in the metres and the rhythm used. Thullal often reflects the literary, artistic and cultural life of the medieval Kerala. In Thullal, episodes from the Indian Epics and rotold in simple Malayalam poetry. The stylized singing of the lines carries with it the beauty of the Dravidian metres. Thullal is a solo performance. As a semi-stylized dance theatre, Thullal is a more popular entertainment than other temple arts. The performer establishes easy rapport with the audience through verbal acting which is full of humour and social references.

PANCHVADYAM

'Pancha' (five) 'Vadyam' (orchestra) is an orchestra, typical of Kerala, consisting of five instruments: Kombu, Edakka, Thimila, Illathalam and Maddalam.

 

PANDIMELAM

 An orchestra consisting of four instruments: Chenda, Kuzhal, Kombu and Illathalam. This combination is used mainly in major temple festivals of Kerala like the Thrissur Pooram. 

THAYAMBAKA

A renowned orchestra of Kerala featuring a unique symphony of chendas beaten in a pouring rhythm.

TIMILA

An hourglass shared drum made from polished lackwood. A creeper is used to make the Frame or Valayam. The drumheads made of calf hide are held together by leather braces, which are also twined around the waist of the drum. This mechanism helps in adjusting the pension and controlling the sound. Thimila is an important instrument in 'Panchavadyam', Kerala's traditional orchestra of five instruments. It is a must during temple rituals like 'seeveli', a ceremonial procession of deities.

EDAKKA

An extremely sensitive percussion instrument. Made of wood and about a quarter metre long, the drumheads are held in a position by interlacing cotton threads. The player beats the drum with one hand while simultaneously manipulating the strings with the other thus creating a variety of musical notes.