Folk Dances of Kerala

Kerala is not just famous for its naturalgolden borders and hair decorated with white
extravaganza in the form of beaches, valley andflower garlands called gajras, dance to the
backwaters, but also for its literacy level and forrhythms of Thiruvathira Pattu, elegantly and in a
preserving its traditional art and culture. Itssynchronized fashion.
uniqueness can be seen in the classical music andOppana is a wedding dance among the Muslim
dance forms, the colorful costumes, the ballads,families of Kerala. In this dance form, the bride in
theatre, tribal dances and folk art forms. Even thefull decoration, sits in the middle, as her friends
crafts, wood-work and wall paintings are alsoand relatives merely sing and dance around her,
preserving the skilled art forms of Kerala.while clapping their hands in chorus. It is conducted
Kerala has almost fifty kinds of folk dance forms,nowadays with full pomp and show, as the
all unique in their own special way. Some of themweddings nowadays have become grand. The
are Kanniyarkali, Kaliyattom, Kolkali, Kuravarkali,songs include lyrics that actually teases the bride
Thapukkali, Kolam thullal, Purakkali and Valakai.about her dreams of her husband and her new
These dances reflect the the various facets ofmarital life.
life and emotions which are expressed in the formVelakali is a more violent dance form, which
of movements to the music beats. A group ofrepresents soldiers with swords and shields,
trained musicians with traditional musicalmatching steps with the rhythmic beats of thakil,
instruments lay down the intricate beats on whichkuzhal and elathalam. Around fifty odd performers
the twinkling feet tap. Some of the famous folkparticipate in the dance to create a war-like scene.
dance forms are elaborated below.The dance can either be dedicated to a worshiped
Theyyam or Kaliyattam is a very famous danceidol or it can be performed in front of a temple
form, which includes days of practice before it ispond.
performed. The origin of the dance form is saidSarpattu is the snake dance performed in the
to be in the northern part of the state. ElaborateNagaraja temples of Kerala, who is revered as
make up and costumes are prepared for thethe Snake God. Women of the Pulluvar caste,
dancers, especially the main character of the herodressed in colorful costumes, dance to the
called Theyyam, the divine character. The wholerhythms of Sarpattu and the tunes of
dance form has a mythological relevance and isPulluvakudam, till they are breathless. The dance
performed in almost all the temples of the villagestakes place in a decorated floor and pandal in
as a ritual.front of the idol of Nagraja.
Kavadiyattam is another ritual dance form thatOttamthullal is known as the folk version of
takes place in the Subramanya Temples.ItKathakali, which was developed by Kunchan
showcases dancers who have scented ashes allNambiar, a famous poet of the south. This dance
over their body and carry bow shaped woodenform was especially created with a purpose,
hangers called Kavadis that are decorated withwhich was to communicate the people to fight
colorful paper. The Ambalakavadi is decoratedagainst the stringent social-political structure of the
brilliantly as a temple representation with plasticsociety of that time. The dancers, dressed in
flowers and paints. Udukku, Chenda andelaborate costumes, perform a story with a
Nadaswaram are used as the musical instruments.message and develop it with their humor and
The dancers merely dance to its tunes carryingexpressions to keep the audience interested in
the wooden hangers and enact a procession.the story.
Thiruvathirakali is a traditional dance formSo, when you plan your trip to Kerala, don't miss
associated with the joint families of Kerala. In thisout on these folk art forms that are carefully
dance form, women dressed in white sarees withpreserving the culture and tradition of the south.