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Folk
Dances of Kerala
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Kerala
has a rich repertoire of folk dances. They reflect the temperaments and
moods of the localities in music and costumes and are highly developed.
Religious colouring is mostly seen in almost all of these folk dances, even
in those performed in connection with harvests, sowing of seeds festivals
etc. Men alone, some exclusively by women, perform many of these dance
forms. There are also dances in which men and women perform together. Most
of the folk dances are performed to the accompaniment of songs, which are
sung by the dancers themselves or occasionally by a group of musicians. Some
are performed to the accompaniment of musical instruments only. In several
dances the performers form a circle and clap as they dance. Sometimes,
instead of clapping they strike small sticks, which they hold in their
hands. The costumes and ornaments are peculiar to the places to which they
belong. In these folk dances there is no difference between the performers
and the audience. Almost all of these dances are simple but beneath
this simplicity are a profundity of conception is a directness of
expression, which are of a high artistic order.
There
are more than fifty well-known folk dances in Kerala. Of them the Kaliyattom,
Mudiyettu, Kolam Thullal,Padayani, Kolkali, Parichamuttukali, Thappukali, Kuravarkali,
and Thiruvathirakali are the most popular.
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Mudiyettu:
 Among the
ancient and indigenous performing art forms in Kerala are the ritual
dances known as Mudiyettu, associated with the Goddess Bhagavathi, the
wife of Lord Siva.. These dance forms glorify the goddess
and their themes revolve around the triumph of the goddess over the
demon Daruka and other evil characters. Click here to Read more..
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Theyyam or Kaliyattam: Theyyam
other wise known as kaliyattom, is an ancient
 socio-religious ceremony
performed in Kerala since very remote times. socio-religious ceremony
performed in Kerala since very remote times. As the word kaliyattom
denotes this is a sacred dance performance for kali. Kaliyattom is
sometimes called Theyyattom because every thera or village was duly
bound to perform it. In ancient times every village of Kerala has its
own common shrine called Kavu and it was imperative to have kaliyattom
performed in front of it. As the word kali has also the meaning of
“safety” in Malayalam, Kaliyattom may have the significance of a
sacred dance for social or family safety. Click here
Read
more..
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Thiruvathirakali:
 Kaikottikali,
also known as Thiruvathirakali is a very popular symmetric group of
dance by the women of kerala, and is often performed during the
festive season of Onam. Click
here to Read
more..
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Kolkali:
 Is
a mixed dance in which both men and women participate. The performers
move in a circle, stricking small sticks and keeping rhythm with
special steps.
Click
here to Read more..
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Mamangam:
This huge and wonderful festival is a replication of the cultural
extravaganza that used to be held every 12 years by the Zamorins
(ancient rulers of Kozhikode) in the middle ages
Click
here to Read more..
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Parichamuttukali:
This is martial folk dance, which had its origin during the days when
Kalaripayattu, the famous physical exercise of swordplay and defence
was in vogue in Kerala.
Click
here to Read
more..
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Patakam:
This
art form is very similar to Koothu on gestures and movements, but the
narration is through prose and song sequences. Click here to
Read
more..
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Poothamkali:
 A
folk art also known as Poothanum Thirayam was commonly performed in the Bhagavathy temples of Malappuram
& Palakkad.
Pootham is the character that accompanied Durga in her combat with
Darika.Click here to Read
more..
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Thappu-melakkali:
This
is a group of dance of the Parayas of Malappuram district in which the
dancers strike rhythm on a small drum. Click here to
Read
more..
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Kuravar Kali:
Kuravar
belong to the former untouchable class of people who were not
permitted to enter the precincts of temples. The Kuravarkali dance is
usually performed outside the temple walls in connection with
festivals. Click here to Read
more..
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Kolam Thullal:
This
is a ritual offering usually performed to get rid pf the troubles
caused by evil-sprits. Click here to Read
more..
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Kaalavela:
This is a folk art, noted for the procession of huge, colorfully
decorated images of bulls. Click here to Read
more..
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Oppana:
A Muslim bridal group dance performed the day before the wedding
day.
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Mahayana:
This colorful ritual art is symbolic of the victory march of goddess
Kali after she defeated the demon Darika. The art form has some
resemblance to Theyyam.
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