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Folk Music & Dances
Kerala : Folk Music & Dances
Theyyam
: 
Theyyam
is one of the most outstanding folk arts of Kerala and has its origin in the
northern parts of the state. Also called Thirayattam, (because every thira
or village performed this ritualistic art at the village temple) this
primitive ritualisic art demands long hours preparation before the
performance.
TheTheyyam (a form or shape) represents a
mythological, devine or heroic character. There are over 350 Theyysma in
northen Kerala. The hood, headdress , face painting, Breast plate,
bracelets,garlands and fabric of attire of each of these Theyyams are
distinct and meticulously crafted according to the character presented.
Musical accomaniments are chenda and veekuchenda (drums), elathalam and
Kuzhal(horn). This art form is mostly performed in Bhagavathy temples.
Performances are on between october and May. Thira is the main subdivision
of Theyyam.
Cherumarkali is
a harvest dance in which the dancers, both men and women move in a swift
rhythm, linked in a back lock or holding arms. The costumes are in striking
red and white.
Kaalavela is
a spectacular procession of huge, gaudily decorated motifs of bulls (kaala.)
Kalampattu (kalamezhuthu pattu) is
another folk art form that belongs to the northern regions of Kerala. This
art form which is over 600years old is performed by a group of five to
fifteen people in Bhadrakali and Ayyappa temples. The rituals is performed
around the kolam -an elaborate picture, usually of Bhadrakali, drawn on the
floor, using five colours. The performance in the light of temple torches
lasts through the night. The singers are neatly dressed with women wearing
their hair on the side of the head. A series of songs (kalampattu) are sung
to the accompaniment of nanthuni and elathalam.
Kalaripayattu
is the comprehensive system of martial arts if Kerala, regarded as one of
the oldest and most scientific in the world. Kalaripayattu training aims at
the ultimate co-ordination of mind and body. The traditional training in a
Kalari includes specialisation in indigenous medical practices too. Kalaris
are also centres of religious worship.
Kaliyoottu
is an eight day long colourful folk ritual which re-enacts the combat
between goddess Durga and the demon Darika. The ritual is performed in
different stages. The climax of the play- the ritual called paranettu- is
performed on a specially constructed 100 feet high stage on the eight day.
Kanniyarkali (Deshathukali)
which is a ritual art and a swift dance form, performed to the accompaniment
of devotional folk songs and the resounding drum beats is usually performed
in Bhagavathy temples.
Kavadiyattam
is a ritual dance offering in Subramanya temples. The group of devotees
wearing bright yellow or saffron costumes with ash smeared all over the
body, dance in a frenzy carrying Kavadis on their shoulders. Kavadis are
colourful bow shaped wooden structures rising six to ten feet high. The
ambalakavadi is structured and decorated like a temple. The Pookavadi has
clusters of colourful paper, cloth or plastic flowers arranged on them. The
resounding beats of percussion instruments like udukku and chenda and the
nadaswaram are characteristic of the kavadi procession.
Kettukazhcha
is a spectacular pageant of colourfully decorated effigies of gods and
goddesses, and images of animals like the horse, bull etc.
Kolkali
is a group dance form of the farming community in Kerala. Twelve to twenty
four dancers move rhythmically in a circle around the ceremonial lamp,
tapping the two feet long wooden sticks held in their hands.
Kummattikali
is a temple folk art and an awe inspiring mask dance.
Kumbhamkali
/ kumbhamthullal (pot dance) is a folk ritual dance of devotees carrying
pots on the head.
Kuthiottam
is a ritual art exclusive to the Devi temples of south Kerala. A team of
artistes perform this song and dance ritual. The songs include those in
praise of Durga and other deities, Padapattu (war songs) and Kalaripattu
(martial art songs). Instrumental accompaniments are mainly percussions,
ganjira, bells and chaplankatta. Faces are painted and red curtains are used
as partitions on the stage.
Pooram
is the great elephant pageant of certain temples in Kerala. Bejewelled
tuskers numbering ten to hundred, line up for this exotic spectacle with
mahouts siting atop them carrying the muthukuda (tinsel covered silk
parasols) and waving the venchamaram (white tufts). The pageant is
accompanied by the panchavadyam which gradually works up to a crescendo. The
most fascinating aspect of the pooram is the Kudamattom ritual, the
ceremonial synchronised changing of the colourful parasols held aloft the
elephants.
Mamangam (the
term today describes any endeavour that is reckless and expensive). This
festival is a replication of the cultural extravaganza held every 12 years
by the zamorins of Malabar in the middle ages. Royal families,
principalities and chieftains from all over Kerala used to participate in
this great cultural event which was held on the grounds of the Thirunavaya
Navamukunda Temple at Ponnani in Malappuram.
Mayilnritham/Mayilattom
is a ritual art performed by artistes in peacock costume. It is performed in
Subramanya in south Kerala. Oppana is a Muslim bridal group dance.
Padayani
(literally, a column of army) is a colourful ritual art which is symbolic of
the victory march of goddess Kali after she defeated the demon Darika. The
elaborate costume of this art form bears slight resemblance to Theyyam.
Poothamkali (pootham) is a
folk art more commonly performed in the Bhagavathy temples of Malappuram.
Pootham is the character who accompanied Durga in her combat with Darika
asura. The performers, usually three in number, undergo a week of austerity
before the presentation. Colourful and intricately designed masks carved out
of the pala and murukku trees are the highlights of the attire. The fifteen
minute performance starts slowly and works up to a frenzy towards the end.
The thudi provides rhythm to the dance which is usually rendered at night.
Pulikali also known as
kaduvakali is a common sight in Kerala during festive seasons. Performers
painted like tigers in bright yellow, red and black, dance to the loud beats
of percussion instruments like the udukku and thakil.
Sarpa
pattu (sarpam thullal) or snake dance is a ritual art performed
in shrines and temples devoted to Nagaraja the king of serpents. It is
performed by women who belong to the Pulluvar caste, in a specially
decorated pandal, before the sarpakalam (snake designs on the floor). The
women dance in a frenzy to the rhythm of the sarpa pattu, until they fall
down exhausted. The sarpa pattu is performed to the accompaniment of veena,
kudom and kaimani.
Thattumelkoothu
is a devotional folk art. The dance is performed on a special platform which
carried around the temple by devotees even as the performance goes on.
Thidampu
Nritham which is over 700 years old, is a ritualistic art form of
North Kerala. The dancer moves to the rhythmic beats of the chenda carrying
the thidampu (the idol of the deity) on his head. Seven artists accompany
him on percussion instruments while two others hold aloft the ritualistic
lamps. The artiste wears much jewellery and a decorated turban known as
Ushnipeetam.
Thiruvathirakali
is a dance form which is a pointer to the old customs followed in Nair
tharawads (joint families) where the women of the house dance elegantly
around the ceremonial lamp or floral decoration on festive occasions to the
accompaniment of the Thiruvathira Pattu (song).
Thiyyattu
is a devotional offering to Bhadrakali and Sree Ayyappa. This ritual art is
performed in a specially decorated pandal, before the Kalam (five colour
design on the floor), the traditional lamp (nilavilaku), and peetam (stool).
The performance usually starts at dusk. The artists sing and dance to the
rhythmic music of the chenda, elathalam and chengila. The costumes bear
resemblances to Ottanthullal and Kathakali, the distinctive features are
huge jingling anklets and face makeup with tiny white dots.
Tholpavakoothu
which is said to have originated in the 18th century is also known as
pavakoothu (puppet play) or nizhalattam (shadow play). This entertainment
art is performed on a special stage called koothumadam in the temple
courtyard. Puppets (pavakal), usually representing four characters from the
Ramayana, are arranged behind a long white screen, in front of bright wick
lamps. The puppets made of deer skin are made to dance to songs from the
Kamba Ramayana (the Tamil version of the epic). The performance starts late
at night and continues up to daybreak.
Vadithallu
is almost similar to Kolkali and is a folk dance in which artistes tap the
short sticks held in both hands.
Velakali
is one of the most elaborate and spectacular martial folk arts of Kerala.
This ritual art form is usually presented within the temple premises and is
called Thirumumbil vela when performed before the deity and Kulathivela when
performed near the temple pond. Fifty or more performers in the traditional
attire of soldiers, bearing colourful shields and swords or long canes,
dance with war like steps in perfect orchestration with the resounding
rhythm of the thakil, suddha maddlam, elathalam, kuzhal and trumpets. A few
fighting techniques of Kalaripayattu are also displayed in the course of the
performance.
Koothambalam:
Special hall in the temple premises for ritual and classical art
performances.
Koothumadam:
Stage specially erected for certain ritual and classical art performances in
the temple.
