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
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.
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. 
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