Arts |
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 Kathakali
:
is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world.Kerala owes
its transnational fame to this nearly 300 year old classical
dance form which combines facets of ballet, opera, masque
and the pantomime.Kathakali was born only in the 17th century
but in less than four centuries it grew up to represent India's
cultural heritage to the world outsideThis elaborate art form
is usually performed in the evenings and continues up to dawn,
and is an integral part of all temple and cultural festivals
in kerala. The costumes and makeup are ornamental, elaborate
and designed to give a superhuman effect. The actors do not
speak or sing but enact the story through mudras (hand gestures)
graceful movements and facial expressions.One of the most
interesting aspects of Kathakali is its elaborate make-up
code.
 Music
is an essential feature of kathakali,with two vocalists who
sing to the accompaniment of a chengila ,elathalam,chenda
and maddalam . Kathakali is a group presentation in which
dancers take various roles in performances traditionally based
on themes from india's rich and colourful Hindu mythology,
especially the two epics,the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.Characters
are categorized according to their nature.The technique of
Kathakali includes a highly developed language of gesture,
through which the artist can convey whole sentences and stories
. Kathakali make-up and costuming is intricate, elaborate
and colorful.It takes about three hours for an actor to transform
into a full-fledged character with facial make-up, head-gear,
ornaments and colorful costumes .
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 Mohiniyattom
:
There is no precise historical evidence to establish the antiquity
of Mohiniyatttam, the classical female dance-tradition of Kerala.
Probably it was evolved in the seventeenth century. The sinuous
dance of the enchantress, this is a distinctive classical dance
form of Kerala. Slow, graceful, swaying movements of the body
and limbs and highly emotive eye and hand gestures are unique.
Mohiniyaattam was specially created for female dancers. This
dance-form was different from the other performing arts of Kerala
mainly in two respects. Firstly, the dominantly religious atmosphere
of the other classical dance-styles is absent in Mohiniyaattam.
Secondly, it did not flourish in temple-precincts like Bharathanatyam
Odissi, or Kuchipudi. |
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 Velakali:
This spectacular martial dance is performed by men in some of
the temples of southern Kerala. The dancers, clad in the traditional
clothes and colorful headgear of the medieval Nair soldiers,
engage in vigorous movements and dexterous sword play, to the
accompaniment of an orchestra comprising the maddalam, ilathalam,
kombu and kuzhal.Velakali originated in Ambalappuzha where Mathoor
Panicker, chief of the Chempakasserri army, promoted it to boost
the martial spirit of the people.The dance form is a regular
feature of the annual festivities at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna
temple in Alappuzha district. A few fighting techniques of Kalaripayattu
are also presented in the course |
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 Thullal:
Thullal
is a considerably simplified single-actor performing art that
enjoyed much more popular appeal than Kathakali, the so called
‘total theatre’. Kunchan Nambiar who lived in the 18th century
composed dozens of tullal stories, adding to the literature
of the local language, Malayalam, a new genre which consisted
of narrative poetry replete with social criticism surcharged
with pungent satire and sarcasm. These compositions were singularly
suitable for presentation on the stage attracting even the unsophisticated
illiterate through highly rhythmic recitation enlivened by closely
accompanying percussion instruments and agile dance involving
mono-act.Thullal has three varieties - Seethankan,Ottan and
Parayan.The distinction between them lies mostly in the make-up
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 . |
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 Chakyarkoothu
: Also called koothu, is one of the oldest classical
theatre arts of kerala. The solo dance is usually presented
in the koothambalam of temples to the accompaniment of the mizhavu
and elathalam. The performance begins with an invocation to
the presiding deity of the temple. The narration is enlivened
with the thandava dance movements, gestures and facial expression
according to the guidelines in natya sastra. Koothu is distinct
for its comic element which adds to its dramatic character.
Themes are usually from the epics. The costume is colourful
and bizarre with a strange headgear.Mani Madhava Chakyar (15
February 1899 - 14 January 1990) was a performance artist and
Sanskrit scholar from Kerala, South India, considered to be
the greatest Chakyar Koothu and Kutiyattam (ancient Sanskrit
drama theatre) artist and authority of modern times |
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Thiruvathirakali:
Thiruvathirakali is a classical dance form, which is a pointer
to the old customs followed in the Nair tharawads (joint families).
In this dance form, 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) |
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| Chavittunatakom
: A Christian art form of Kerala. Evolved at the
turn of the 16th Century AD during the Portuguese colonization
and bears definite traces of the European Christian Miracle Play. |
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 Koodiyattam
:
Koodiyattam is perhaps the oldest dance drama form still in
existence in India. Koodiyattam literally means dancing together.
Based on the Sanskrit text, a performance of this art form may
last from a few days to a few weeks.literally means "acting
together". This, the earliest classical dramatic art form of
Kerala. has been recognised by UNESCO as a Human Heritage Art.
Rightly so. It is the oldest existing classical theatre form
in the entire world, having originated much before Kathakali
and most other theatrical forms based on Sage Bharatha's 'Natyasasthra'
of the second century.The costumes in Koodiyattom vary according
to the characters.
The
traditional rhythm accompaniment is on mizhavu. The ecstatic
drumming on this primordial percussion instrument helps the
Chakkyar to delineate the myriad moods as demanded by the play.
The Chakkyar performs the role of the male characters. Female
characters are portrayed by Nangiars, the women folk of the
Nambiar community. They also assist the Chakyars in background
singing and in keeping the rhythm with kuzhithalam (small cymbals).
The costumes in Koodiyattom vary according to the characters
Today, performing artistes among the Chakyars have been reduced
to an endangered species. Ammaur Chachu Chakyar, Paimkulam Rama
Chakyar, Padmasree Mani Madhava Chakyar are great exponents
of this ancient theatrical art form. Chachu Chakyar Smaraka
Gurukulam at Irinjalakuda is imparting training on this ancient
art form. Koodiyattom is performed only at a few temples of
Kerala such as at Irinjalakuda, Kottiyur etc. |
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 Theyyam:
is one of the most outstanding ancient dance form of Kerala.
The word 'Theyyam' originated from 'Daivam' means nothing but
God. It is a very fascinating ritual practised for centuries
by the tribal people and the villagers of Northern Kerala.
This
folk art form is also called Thirayattam, because every thira
or village performed this ritualistic art at the village temple.The
Theyyam or Kolam (a form or shape), represents a mythological,
divine or heroic character. There are over 400Theyyams in northern
Kerala. It is a dance form glorifying the Theyyam, the local
deity, who is believed to bless and arbitrate between the farmers
and their landlords. This primitive ritualistic art demands
long hours of preparation before the performance. The bizarre
head dresses, costumes and body painting and trance like performances
are very extraordinary. Each one has a distinguishing headgear
and costume made out of natural materials like coconut leaves
and bark. Musical accompaniments are chenda and veekuchenda
(drums), elathalam and kuzhal (horn). Theyyam is always performed
by men. Female roles are also enacted by men wearing suitable
makeup and colourful costumes.During the
festival season between January and April, Theyyam performances
can be seen in the villages in the erst-while Malabar region,
especially in the Kannur District. There are regular
Theyyam performances at Sri Muthappan Temple in Parassinikadavu,
which is some 20 km north-east of Kannur town. |
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Patayani
: is a week- long ritual dance, held in Kaali
temples on the banks of the Pamba river during the Malayalam
months of Meenam and Medam (March - April). |
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.
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Theeyattu
:
is a solo dance-drama performed in front of the Kalam or Dhooli
Chitram (ritual drawing with coloured powders). It is enacted
in some Bhagavathy temples of Thiruvalla, Kottayam, Thripunithura
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 Kalarippayatt
: is the traditional martial art of Kerala.
It is believed to be the forerunner of all eastern martial arts
. It has played a significant role in the technical development
of all other performing arts in Kerala. Its roots can be traced
back to the 12th century when skirmishes among the many feudal
principalities were very common.
Masters of Kalarippayatt are called GURUKKAL. Kalarippayatt
is taught inside a special arena called KALARI, which is part
school, part gymnasium and part temple. A kalari is constructed
following traditional principles. Its rectangular design is
always aligned east - west direction and Hindu deities are represented
at each corner.Training in Kalarippayatt begins at a very young
age.
Learning
requires ritual stretching and flexing exercises to achieve
balance and concentration. To increase suppleness of limbs,
a full body massage is given. During the course of the training,
various weapons are introduced including the sword and shield
of the medieval warrior . |
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