Kerala Dances

Kerala is one of the most culturally rich states of India. Rolling along the coast of Arabian Sea and endowed with pristine and breathtaking natural beauty, this gorgeous state, which is popularly known as God’s own country, is one of the most preferred tourist destinations in the whole of India. It is home to some of the most beautiful beaches, gorgeous backwaters, mesmerizing hill stations and intriguing national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. The people of Kerala are very friendly and hospitable. Their lifestyle, their rich culture, their elaborate festivals and different forms of dances and performing arts are unique and captivating. Anyone who experiences all this will truly feel blessed and lucky to have witnessed such majesty and beauty. One distinct aspect of Kerala’s culture is its different kinds of traditional dances and performing arts. Kerala Performing arts are famous all over the world, and people from all over the world come to watch it and even learn it.

The songs, the dances, the ballads and the performances of Kerala are reflections of their society and various aspects of their social and religious life. They are a true treasure in themselves which makes the culture of Kerala one of the richest cultures in the world, that has even caught the attention of UNESCO, which has declared some of its art forms as masterpieces of oral and intangible heritages of humanity, for example Koodiyattom. The different art forms of this state compete with elaborate and vibrant make-ups and bright attractive costumes, with different gestures and rich facial expressions and well complemented by various props makes it one of the most fascinating and interesting arts forms of the world. It is the best synthesis of drama, music and dance. These art forms find their origin in the ancient social and religious traditions of the state and form a very important part of their festivals and various occasions like marriage, childbirth, etc. They vary in their themes and presentations, but their flavour remains the same and they beautifully portray the richness and beauty of their culture, which totally captivates your senses.

The performing arts of Kerala can be broadly divided into the following categories –

Classical art forms – it includes Kathakali and Chakyarkoothu or Koothu.

Folk Art forms – like Krishnanattam, Mohiniyattam, Patakam, Thullal, Theyyam, Kalampattu, Kaliyoottu, Kanniyarkali, Kuthiyottam, Kumbhamkali, Kummatti, Kavadiyattam, Thidampu nrittam, Sarpa Pattu, Poothamkali, Thattumelkoothu, Pulikali, Chavittunatakam, Thiyattu, Padayani, Mayilnrittam, Oppana, Vadithallu, Kolkali.

Martial Arts forms – they are Kalaripayattu, Velakali and Parisakali.

Besides these art forms the music of Kerala is also equally popular and it forms a very important part of the art forms. Many dances are performed in songs that are sung by the dancers while they are performing and are accompanied by various traditional musical instruments. Forming a very strong and important part of Kerala’s culture, some of these forms or art are thousands of years old but still practised with same vigour and grandeur. The people of Kerala have high regard in their lives for these arts forms and the artists enjoy certain social privileges’.