art forms of kerala

ART:
kerala is a home to a stunning variety of art forms…the most famous among them are:

Kathakali:

'Kathakali' the most popular art form in which the entire body is used to portray a story.

The Kathakali artistes wear elaborate costumes, ornaments and facialmake-up.Presented in the temple precincts after dusk falls Kathakali is heralded by the Kelikottu or the beating of drums in accompaniment of the Chengila (gong).The riches of a happy blending of colour, expressions, music, drama and dance is unparallelled in any other art forms..

Mohiniyattom:

Literally meaning the dance of the celestial enchantress..

The simple, elegant gold-filigreed dress, in pure white or ivory, is akin to the traditional attire of the women of Kerala.

ORIGIN:
The origin of Mohiniyattom is rooted in Hindu mythology. Once the ocean of milk was churned by the gods and demons to extract the elixir of life and immortality. The demons made away with this divine brew.

Lord Vishnu came to the rescue of the panicky gods and assumed the female form of an amorous celestial dame Mohini. Captivating the demons with her charms, Mohini stole the elixir from them and restored it to the gods.

Thiruvathirakali :

Thiruvathirakali is a dance performed by women, in order to attain everlasting marital bliss, on Thiruvathira day in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December- January).

The sinuous movements executed by a group of dancers around a nilavilakku, embody 'lasya' or the amorous charm and grace of the feminine. The dance follows a circular, pirouetting pattern accompanied by clapping of the hands and singing.

Oppana:

A dance form essential to the wedding entertainment and festivities of the Malabar Muslims.

Maidens and young female relatives sing and dance around the bride, clapping their hands. The bride dressed in all finery, covered with gold ornaments is the chief spectator who sits on a peetam, around which the singing and dancing take place.

The themes are often teasing comments and innuendoes about the bride's anticipated nuptial bliss.

Kalaripayattu (Martial art form):
Kalaripayattu involves extremely energetic techniques of defence and attack.

This comprehensive system of martial arts, regarded as one of the oldest and most scientific in the world, evolved in North Kerala.





Boys and girls are trained under a 'Gurukkal' in a 'Kalari' or gymnasia . The pupils are taught a set of body exercises as well as use of weapons like 'kuruvadi'(short stick) & 'sariravadi' (mace,spear,dagger,sword,shield).