God's Own Country has a unique culture and arts. It has developed through the centuries its own typical art forms. Kerala is renowned for its varied martial arts. The cultural heritage of Kerala is also revealed it is varied dance forms, martial arts and cuisine. Kerla's rich culture reflects in its own art forms. The classical, folk and martial art forms of Kerala have thrilled and intrigued the people world over. Kerala’s typical art forms reflect the outlook and life of the people. .Kerala’s own art forms categorise into four groups – classical art forms, folk art forms, martial art forms and temple musics.

A form of Sanskrit drama which is associated with temple rituals. The oldest form of classical arts in Kerala. Manipravalam, a mixture language of Malayalam and Sanskrit is originated from Koodiyattom. The performance of Koodiyattom was codified through detailed stage manuals known as Attaprakarams and Kramadeepikas.The performers’ action based on these choreographic texts include all the organizational, theatric and logistic aspects of Koodiyattom. Chakyars enact the male characters and Nangiars enact the female characters.Abhinaya (expression) through angika (body movements), vachika (spoken word), aharya (costume and make-up) ansd satvika (creation and projection of sentiments and moods) are inherent.The costumes and make-up pattern are forerunners of the Kathakali.

Only dance form in which entire body is used to portray a story. The name Kathakali is derived from two words 'Katha' meaning story and "Kali" means dance. It was born only in 17th century.

It is the quintessential art form, literally means, a story play. The essence of Kathakali is abhinaya (expression), mainly aharya abhinaya. From the make-up the nature and personality of the character is read out.Netrabhinaya (expression through the eyes) is an important factor and chundapoovu or Solanum pubesscue is applied to the eyes to have pointed attention of the audience. Women characters are generally played by men. No speaking or singing by the actors.They enact padams (dialog sections) through mudras (hand gestures) and facial expressions.There are 24 mudras, expressing nine rasas (emotions) – serenity, wonder, kindness, love, valour, fear, contempt, loathing and anger. The stage of Kathakali is simple and bare.

One of the oldest classical theater arts of Kerala.This is a solo dance. Chakyarkoothu is a classical dance form of Kerala. The dance is performed solely by the members of the Chakkiar caste. The Chakyar is considered as a satirist using narrative, mime, wit and innuendo to communicate with the audience.

In this dance form, the story is recited in a quasi-dramatic style with emphasis on eloquent declarations with appropriately suggestive facial expressions and hand gestures. Chakyarkoothu is accompanied by the Mizhavu (a percussion instrument) and Ilathalam (cymbals).

Krishnanattam is originated as a votive offering to Shri Krishna. The general nature of the play is that the actors dance and act behind the Kali Vilakku while the singers sing standing behind. The lead singer sings, playing the gong, the second singer repeats playing the cymbals. Accompanied by suddha maddalam, toppi maddalam and edakka, both singers sing the slokas and padams of Krishnagiti one by one, once. Some padams and slokas are sung more than once.

In Krishnanattam, five types of facial make ups, Paccha (Green), Pazhuppu (Orange), Kathi (Knife), Minukku and Kari (Black) and masks are used. The costume and make-up are somewhat similar to Kathakali and folk arts like Mudiyettu and Theyyam. Maddalam, elathalam and chengila are the musical instruments used.

A distinct type of dance form which has existed in Kerala for hundereds of years. Lasya is the dominant element in this elegant classical dance form. The dancer is dressed in white and gold.Jasmine is adorned on the hair balled to leftside of the head.Graceful, gliding movement of the body, a circular use of the torso and revolving in the half-bent position with the toe and heel in a flowing rhythmic structure constitute the technique.Sopanam style musics with drums and cymbals flow.

The modified version of the Koothu. Evolved as part of a social reformation. Thullal is a solo dance - drama created 200 years ago by Kunja Nambiar. Thullal is categorized into three – Ottanthullal, Seethankamthullal and Parayanthullal.Each is classified on the basis of metre and rhythm of the songs and the distinctions in the costume and dance.Elaborate headgears, face painting and colourful costumes are essentials to the art.

Kerala has a rich repertoire of folk dances. Most of the folk dances are performed to the accompaniment of songs, which are sung by the dancers themselves or occasionally by a group of musicians. There are more than fifty well-known folk dances in Kerela. Of them the Kaliyattom, Mudiyettu, Kolam Thullal,Padayani, Kolkali, Parichamuttukali, Thappukali, Kuravarkali, and Thiruvathirakali are the most popular.

Ancient socio-religious ceremony performed in Kerala since very remote times. Sacred dance performance for kali. Kaliyattom is sometimes called Theyyattom because every thera or village was duly bound to perform it. In ancient times every village of Kerala has its own common shrine called Kavu and it was imperative to have kaliyattom performed in front of it. As the word kali has also the meaning of safety in Malayalam, Kaliyattom may have the significance of a sacred dance for social or family safety.

Theyyam is a ritualistic dance with its rare and grotesque make-up and costume, lively foot work, gymnastic fervour and ritualistic vitality. Theyyam represents a glorious period of folk life in Kerala and the souls of the dead heroes of the land and the gods and goddesses are supposed to come in our midst through the medium of the possessed dancers and converse with us on matters of even contemporary significance. It is the worship of spirits by invoking them to the mortal body of the dancer who impersonates them and gives blessing to the believers. Theyyam evolves from Kaliyattam practiced by aboriginal tribes of northern regions of the state. Kaliyattam is an annual festival attached to the shrines known by the names like muchilod, kavu, palliyara, mundya, tanam, madhapura all in the districts of kannur.

Mudiyettu is a ritual dance performed in some Kaali temples of Ernakulam and Kottayam districts (central Kerala). The dance celebrates the goddess's triumph over the demon Daarikan. Mudiyettu is performed by the Kuruppu or Marar who belong to the temple bound communities of Kerala.

These dance forms glorify the goddess and their themes revolve around the triumph of the goddess over the demon Daruka and other evil characters.

The performers of Mudiyettu are all heavily made up and wear gorgeous attire with conventional facial paintings, tall headgears etc, to give a touch of the supernatural. The wooden headgear has a mask of Kaali. An ornamental red vest and a long white cloth around the waist complete the attire.

A very ancient art prevalent in Malabar(north Kerala)-Kolam Thullal is a graceful rendition in performance arts .

Kolam Thullalis a ritual dance form prevalent in south Kerala ( south India) and this form of dancing is customary in houses and temples of Bhagavathy (Female deity). This is performed in relation with temple festivals and to drive away the bad spirit from the 'possessed' bodies.

Padayani is the annual ritualistic festival celebrated in Bhadrakali temples of Central travancore zone with due dedications. It may be regarded as the remains of ancient Dravidian God concept and mode of worship offering Rathi (lust), Raktham (Blood) and Lahari (toxic mood).

It has tremendous theatrical value and very evocative language. It represents nature in its varied of North Kerala like Theyyam and Thora super-human characters. This ritual art possesses the sense of rhythm, vision, aesthetics and power of imitative quality of people, who are directly involved with nature. It elaborated man’s relationship to nature. For the ordinary people, it is the epitome of life.

Padayani is the simple and at the same time complicated compilations of assumptions. It surpasses time. It is attached to the archetypal tendentiousness. Padayani has the interdependence of absolute glamour of adornment, costume, dance and theatrical languages
Padayani is usually performed ceremoniously in the rural areas of Central Trvancore.

It is a group of dance form of the farming community in Kerala. Twelve to twenty four dancers move rhythmically in a circle around the ceremonial lamp, tagging the two feet long wooden sticks held in their hands.

It is a group of dance with the dancers holding sword and shield made of wood. With a major stress on the Kerala fold tunes, the rhythmic mould of these being shaped from the meaningless syllables which form the language of the folk instruments. The dancers tie a string of bells around the ankles and they move in a circle. For Parichamuttukali, the dancers have to undergo rigorous training in Kalari.

Thiruvathirakali also known as Kaikottikali is a very popular, graceful and symmetric group dance of the women folk of Kerala, performed during festive seasons like Onam and Thiruvathira. It is a simple and gentle dance. Typically dressed in Kerala style, the women move in a circle singing and clapping hands. Thiruvathira songs are well reputed for their literary flourish.

Kerala India Vacations offers you a glimpse of Thiruvathirakali, a very popular Kerala classical dance form that is performed by women during the Thiruvathira festival. Kerala India Vacations offers online tour booking for those eager to learn more about Kerala traditions, culture and art forms.
Thiruvathirakali is performed during the night of the Thiruvathira celebrations that is held during the Malayalam month of Dhanu. Women stay awake all night as they keep vigil for Lord Shiva to come. To keep themselves occupied during the night the women indulge in Oonjalattom i.e. swinging on a swing and perform Thiruvathirakali.