Dancing with two sticks is a common artistic practice in various cultures throughout India. The beats, movements, and circular formations make this art form both entertaining for the spectators and energising for the performers. It is performed by both male and female dancers during festivities in different states on various occasions. Kolkali, one of the most popular stick dance arts of Kerala, is widely performed in the Malabar region (North Kerala). This folk art form, believed to be around 200 years old, derives its name from the Malayalam words ‘Kol,’ meaning stick, and ‘Kali,’ meaning dance. Kolkali is chiefly performed by men performers from the Muslim community and is an integral part of their cultural heritage. Kolkali is not just a dance for the locale and community members as it is a dynamic representation of the region's rich cultural tapestry, bringing communities together in celebration and tradition. 

The performance of Kolkali involves dancers moving in a circle, striking small sticks in rhythm with their steps. The dance progresses with the circle expanding and contracting, showcasing the dancers' agility and precision. Each performer follows a close pattern, ensuring they do not touch each other or miss a beat. As the dance advances, the steps become more vigorous, with sweeping movements and turns, and finally the accompanying music rises in pitch and the dance moves reaches to a dramatic climax. Like many other performing art forms of Kerala, Kolkali has also drawn several elements from the martial art tradition- Kalaripayattu during its evolution. The presentation showcases the performer’s physical flexibility, precise control of steps, and a strong sense of rhythm. The training is imparted by skilled teachers or senior performers known as Asans. 

Traditionally, Kolkali is performed at open spaces or courtyards by Muslim men, and sometimes, the performance takes place on a raised wooden platform, which is why it is also known as Thattinmelkali. The dancers wear a Mundu (a traditional garment worn around the waist) towards the left side (which is different from the usual pattern of wearing mundu) and a Banyan (a sleeveless shirt), with some tying a piece of cloth around their heads and a thick waist belt, which resembles a casual dress of Muslim men of Malabar. Thalassery and Payyannur towns in the Kannur district are renowned for their Kolkali legacy, preserving and promoting this vibrant art form.