| Kerala Arts:- | ||
Kerala
has its own typical art forms which reflect the life and outlook
of the people. Rich and vibrant culture of Kerala has intrigued
people worldwide. Kerala is famous for its art, poets and musicians,
its traditional dance forms, and its distinctive architecture.
From the renowned Kathakali, considered to be the complete art
form as its synthesis's all that is best in the fields of drama,
music and dance, to the folk dances which are reflections of the
rhythmic impulses of a sensitive people. |
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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 is a group presentation in which dancers take various roles in performances traditionally based on themes from 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. The extraordinary costumes and make-up serve to raise the participants above the level of mere mortals, so that they may transport the audience to a world of wonders. One of the most interesting aspects of Kathakali is its elaborate make-up code. |
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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. Bharathanatyam - Centuries old dance form Centuries old dance form performed throughout India, enriched by Kerala's own legendary dance performers. This dance form was first conceived and authored by the great sage Bharatha. So it is called Bharathanatya. 'Natya' means dance. Koodiyattom - oldest existing classical theatre form It is the oldest existing classical theatre form in the entire world 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. |
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Thullal is a solo performance combining the dance and recitation of stories in verse. Staged during temple festivals, the performer explicates the verses through expressive gestures, yet has a distinct mass appeal due to its simplicity in terms of costume, style of singing and at times pulling the legs of the audience at certain stages of the ´thullal´ performance.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 thullal 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. |
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Ritual Arts |
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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.Theyyam is also known as Kaaliyattam, it is a ritual dance popular in north Kerala. The word 'Theyyam' originated from 'Daivam' means nothing but God.It is one of the most outstanding ancient dance forms. The Theyyam or Kolam (a form or shape), represents a mythological, divine or heroic character. There are around 400 Theyyams in northern Kerala. 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. Patayani - Long ritual dance form of Kerala 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). Thiruvathirakali - Long ritual dance form of Kerala Is a dance performed by women, in order to attain everlasting marital bliss, on Thiruvathira day in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December- January). Chavittunatakom - Long ritual dance form of Kerala 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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Martial Arts |
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The Orients treasure trove, a gift to the modern world and the mother of all martial arts – Legend traces the 3000-year-old art form to Sage Parasurama- the master of all martial art forms and credited to be the reclaimer of Kerala from the Arabian Sea. Kung- fu, popularized by the monks of the Shaolin Temple traces its ancestry to Bodhi Dharma - an Indian Buddhist monk and Kalaripayattu master. 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. |
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Kathakali
- is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world
Mohiniyattom
- the classical female
dance-tradition of Kerala
Ottan
Thullal - solo performance
combining the dance 
Theyyam
- ancient
dance form of Kerala
Kalaripayattu