A conventional Muslim wedding eve is incomplete without the vibrant beats and claps of the ceremonial dance- Oppana. This group dance form is significant to the Mappila (Muslim) community of Kerala, which was more popular in the Malabar region (North Kerala). Oppana is traditionally performed as part of the wedding ceremony at the bride’s house, with the bride as the central focus. The groom's family also performs Oppana, a male version with the groom at the centre. The word Oppana is believed to originate from the Arabic word ‘Affna,’ which means the branches of a celestial tree. This signifies the practice of the art form, where the dancers, who are the bride's maidens, stretch their hands to clap and move. It is believed that this tradition originated from Arab wedding eve celebrations mixed with Kerala's traditional rhythmic, linguistic, and costume styles.

Performance
Oppana is unique for its vibrant movements and performance style, with clapping being a significant part. Traditionally, the bride, dressed in colourful attire, veil and jewellery, sits at the centre while around fifteen maidens dance around her. The maidens usually appear in traditional Kerala Muslim attire, which includes a mundu- a long cloth worn around the waist towards the left, a full-sleeved blouse, and a veil covering the head. The lyrics praise the beauty of the bride and groom, and include teasing comments about their future married life. The verses also honour the life of Prophet Muhammad. One or two leaders start the music, and the other dancers follow the music and start with the dance. The songs follow the indigenous Muslim musical style of Kerala called Mappila Pattu. The musical instruments used are harmonium, tabla, ganjira and cymbals. The lyrics are in Malayalam mixed with Arabic words and clapping is a significant tradition in Kerala folk forms such as Kaikottikkali and Vattakkali which showcase a blend of Arabian and regional culture. Applying henna paste (mylanchi) on the bride’s hands and feet is another ceremony of the wedding eve connected with Oppana dance. 

There are two variations of Oppana performance such as Oppana Chayal and Oppana Murukkam. Oppana Chayal involves swaying movements without clapping, while Oppana Murukkam is the fast version with rhythmic claps. The claps and their speed vary with the footsteps, tempo and speed of the music, and movements and formations of the dancers around the bride. 

Oppana is also performed as part of other ceremonial events in Mappila Muslim families, such as the circumcision of boys, the first menstruation of girls, and the ceremonial bath of a woman on the 14th day after childbirth. Oppana marks the proud heritage of traditional Kerala Muslims and is also performed today in public venues as a representation of culture.