Folk Arts

Theyyam

T heyyam, also known as Kaaliyattam, is a ritual dance popular in north Kerala.
It incorporates dance, mime and music and enshrines the rudiments of ancient tribal cultures which
attached great importance to the worship of heroes and the spirits of ancestors. These are performed in temples by appointed people in fulfillment of vows of devotees. The dancers are men in feminine attire wearing colourful costumes made of palm leaves, cloth and brass jewellery, ferocious masks and big head gear

Oppana

A dance form essential to the wedding entertainment and festivities of the Malabar Muslims, now performed among all muslim communities in Kerala. Maidens and young female relatives
sing and dance around the bride, clapping their hands. The songs of Mappilappattu, are first sung by the leader and are repeated by the chorus. The themes are often teasing comments and innuendoes about the bride's anticipated nuptial bliss. Oppana is often presented as a stage item today.

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 dance is a celebration of marital fidelity and the female energy. The dancers perform around a nilavilakku. The dance follows a circular, pirouetting pattern accompanied by clapping of the
hands and singing. Today, Thiruvathirakali has become a popular dance form for all seasons.




Kakkarissi Natakom

Kakkarissi natakom is a satirical dance-drama that questionsand redicules injustice and evil practices those prevail in the society. It is based on the puranic legends of Lord Siva and his consort Parvati when they assumed human forms as Kakkalan and Kakkathi, a nomadic tribe of fortune tellers, and set out to reform the society. The language is a blend of Tamil and Malayalam. The chief characters are Kakkalan, Kakkathi, Vetan, Velichappadu, Thampuran anD
the Jester. The Dholak, Ganchira, Chenda and the Harmonium perform in the background.