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Folk Dances of Kerala
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| Kaduva Kali Dance |
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| Margam Kali Dance |
Kaduva Kali:
This dance is also known as Pulikali. This dance is performed during the Moharam season. Dancers get ready to look up
as tigers with wearing appropriate costumes & make-up. They go from house to house, dancing vigorously with the loud beating
of instruments like Udukku, Thakal, etc.
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Kanniyar Kali:
It is a very old dance, performed from centuries. But today also, it is a well-known folk dance of Kerala sometimes even
called as Desathukali. It is a fast moving, militant dance having pleasant rhythmic devotional folk songs and asuravadyas.
It is said to be a ritual offering in honour of the deity Bhagavathy.
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Margam Kali:
Margam Kali is an art form popular among the Syrian Christian community of the eastern Travancore. Among the performing
arts of Christians, Margam Kali deserves special mention. This dance consists of several other group dances and martial arts
like parichamuttu Kali. The theme of the songs revolves around the life of St. Thomas & his contribution.
The word `Margam` means path, way, religion or creed. The real source of inspiration behind performance of Margam Kali
was Kalaripayattu, which was very popular when the Christian community had developed the form.
The art was developed for the propagation of Christian religious ideas among the people. From the direct inspiration taken
from the indigenous culture, the form is evolved. The dancers play in a circle around a lighted oil lamp while singing themselves.
There are no accompanying instruments for music. The leader of the troupe or tutor known as `Asan` leads the song and the
group repeats the same. The language used in the songs of Margam Kali reveals its relation with old Tamil form.
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| Arjuna Nritham Dance |
Arjuna Nritham:
Arujuna Nritham is a popular dance form in Alleppy and Kottayam districts. One or two persons perform this during the
nighttime. And, the purpose of the lighting is fulfilled by the traditional lamp called `Nilavilakku`. Arjuna was proficient
in dance among the Pandavas and it is said that he has danced and sung praising Bhadrakali. Since, the lower part of the garments
of the dance is of specialized type of costumes made up of peacock feathers, the dance is also known as "Mayilpeeli Thookkam"
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| Kummatti Dance |
Kummatti Dance:
Kummatti is a mask dance mostly popular in South Malabar region of Kerala. The dancers wear brightly painted wooden masks
on the faces and dance with it. During the time of Onam festival, groups of dancers wearing masks and adorning their body
with the help of leaves and grass get ready for the dance. They visit to all houses in a village one by one. Vibrating the
string of a bow-like instrument called onavillu provides the rhythm & music for the songs.
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| Garudan thookam |
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| Mayil Attam Dance |
Garudan thookam:
This dance form is presented in some temples, where the worshiped deity is Bhadrakali. This is not just an offering song
to deity but a descriptive song in terms of its action. Two or three dancers in the garb of Garuda, dance of the rhythm of
percussion instruments, for providing music. To give the feel of Garuda (the bird king), the dancers wear the feathers with
their beaks. They also carry snakes in the beak, and dance with wings spread in circles, in an enjoyment of moment.
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Mayil Attam:
Girls dressed to look like peacocks, resplendent with peacock feathers and a glittering headdress with a beak perform
this dance. This beak can be opened and closed with the help of a thread tied to it from inside the dress. This arrangement
helps in performing various stps.This is a group dance & when performed in coordination grabs the attention of viewers.
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| Tholpavakoothu Dance |
Tholpavakoothu:Tholpavakoothu
This is also known as Pavakoothu and Nizhalkoothu. It is prevalent in Palakkad and Ponnani Talukas of Kerala. This is
traditionally, a dance by Pulavanmars. The pavakal or puppets are used for the performance. They are made up of deerskin and
represent various characters from the Ramayana epic. The puppets are arranged behind a long curtain. These types of dances
are popular in all sections of society.
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Kazhai Kothu:
Kazhai Kothu is a known performance for gymnastic steps. It is specialized form by Aryans. This is very similar to today`s
circus show. They travel in a group from place to place, entertaining the local people and thus earning a livelihood. During
performance time, they do make-up & wear bright, colourful costumes.
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| Sangha Kali Dance |
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| Krishnanattom Dance |
Sangha Kali:
Sangha Kali is also known as Sahastrakali, Chathirakali or Vatrakali. Essentially, it is a dance having a socio-religious
context. This was a very favourite and popular pastime of Namboodiris. It was performed as a votive offering to Goddess Kali.
The origin of Sangha Kali may be deeply rooted in the numerous gymnasium techniques (Known as Kalaris) in ancient Kerala where
physical exercises and military training with special emphasis on physical feats and swordsmanship were given.
Celebrations on periodic basis were held in this Kalaris, where special displays of skill in weapons and the techniques
of the learner can be put foreword. With the civilization and stabilization of Aryan culture in the land, the Namboodiri Brahmins-the
Aryan immigrants-entered these gymnasia and their participation and influence gave the celebration a religious colour.
A number of people wearing red scarfs on the head and red clothe on the wrist gather in a group for dance. The performance
begins with steps of the gymnasia to the accompaniment of the instrument like the chenda, maddalam, elethalam and gong.
The dance has a number of phases of ritual worship, recital of devotional songs, pure dance, comic interludes, etc. They
include the kottichakampookal, kottiyarkal, pana, velichappadu, nalupadam, slokam, neetuvayana, kandappanpurappad, poli kaimalothika
samvadam, paradesipurappad etc.
The last phase of the dance performance is a very important and it is called Kudameduppu. It is martial in character and
actually in the form of exercise displaying the skill in swordsmanship and the mastery of techniques in the use of other weapons.
Of the dance part in Sangha Kali, the Kurathiyattam is the most graceful and famous step of this dance.
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Krishnanattom:
It is said that a refinement of Ashtapadiatoom, evolved by Manavedan, the Zamorin was Krishnanattom. The whole story of
Lord Krishna was cast into a drama-cycle. Eight nights are required for its serial production. Vilwamangalam, a Krishna devotee,
helped in designing the costume of Krishna. The actors in this dance-drama have to have good command on the ballet element
and mimetic expression. The narrative song is a responsibility of the musicians. It is dance-drama totally devoted to Lord
Krishna.
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Poikkal Kudirai Aattam:
This is known as the Dummy Horse Dance. In this dance, the dancer bears the dummy figure of a horse`s body on his/her
hips. It is made up of light-weighted materials and the cloth at the sides swinging on both sides covering the legs of the
dancer completely. The dancer performs with wooden legs, which sound like the hooves of the horse.
The dancers must have either a sword or a whip. This folk dance needs much expert movements and skills to perform. Naiyandi
melam or Band music accompanies to the dance. This is connected to the worship of Ayyanar, prevails mainly around Thanjavur
region of State. Such dances are originated from tribal culture.
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| Poikkal Kudirai Aattam Dance |
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