All About Art
Art
Malayala Kalagramam is a renowned art and culture learning centre which conducts courses in painting, sculpture, music, dance and pottery
Mannankoothu is a unique ritual art form performed by the Adivasi community of Mannans in the Idukki district
A folk art form popular in southern parts of Kerala, Kakkarissi Natakam is a musical dance-drama which has a peculiar structure
One of the oldest martial art forms in the world, Kalaripayattu centres not just on training and physical dexterity, but also on the energy system of the body. The master…
The term Mohiniyattam comes from the words 'Mohini' meaning a woman who enchants onlookers and, 'aattam' meaning graceful and sensuous body movements. The origin of Mohin…
Tholpavakoothu or shadow puppetry is originated in temples in the South Malabar and Palakkad regions of Kerala. When leather puppets pulled by strings are made to move an…
Margamkali performances are noted for their rapid movements and rhythmic steps. The dancers wear the traditional costume of the Christian community, consisting of chatta,…
Mannankoothu is a special ritual art form performed by the Adivasi community of Mannans in the Idukki district. It narrates the tale of Kannaki and Kovilan of the famous…
Padayani is a ritual art form conducted in the Bhadrakali temples of Central Travancore. The art form is presented as a symbolic act for pleasing the goddess Bhadrakali w…
Oppana is a performing art popular among the Muslim community in Kerala. It is performed, by women including the musicians during wedding ceremonies to the accompaniment…
Alamikkali is a ritual art form that is presented exclusively in Kasaragod district in North Kerala. Originally performed by ‘Alamis’, the soldiers of Tipu’s army t…
Malayala Kalagramam (MAKAM), situated at New Mahe in Kannur district of Kerala is a centre for art and ideas aiming children and youngsters.
Tholpavakoothu, Shadow Puppetry, Ritualistic art form, Enchanting Kerala, Newsletter, Kerala Tourism
Tholpavakoothu or shadow puppetry using leather puppets is a ritual art popular in the northern districts of Kerala, viz. Palakkad and Malappuram. The lead puppeteer is c…
Margi, an organization situated in Thiruvananthapuram district is an ideal place to get trained in Kathakali and other major art forms of Kerala.
Sargaalaya Arts and Crafts Village situated at Iringal in Kozhikode provides platform for traditional artisans of Kerala but also learn one or two lessons in the subtleti…
Tribal art forms of Wayanad – Gadhika, Midhuva dance and Kambra Nritham are a few famous tribal art forms from the tribal community.
Kerala Folklore Academy, located at Chirakkal in Kannur, the northern district of Kerala, India.
The Sree Chithra Art Gallery in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala displays original paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich. It also houses some e…
Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan, a multi-purpose cultural complex of Government of Kerala houses the personal belongings of the great Malayalam poet, the late Vyloppilly Sre…
Kerala Kalamandalam is situated at Cheruthuruthy in Thrissur district of Kerala. It is one of the most renowned places for the training of traditional artforms of Kerala.
Navarasa, the concept of rasa is fundamental to several Indian art forms including dance, Navarasa, the concept of rasa is fundamental to several Indian art forms includi…
Sarjnya Emradee is already bowled over by the land and its people. It is one of the noted training and research centres in Kerala, dealing with performing art forms like…
Oriental Research Institute and Manuscript Library functioning under the University of Kerala began in 1908, when a new library department was founded by the royalty of e…
Panchavadhyam is a classical orchestra that has reverberated through the shores of this quaint land for years. Pancha (five) Vadyam (instrument) is an orchestra, typical…
Edneer Mutt located a few km from Kasargod, is a renowned seat of art and learning. It belongs to the Sankaracharya tradition.
David Hall, built in 1695 by the Dutch East India Company is now an art gallery and a major attraction in Fort Kochi, Kerala.
Margi, one of the best among training and research centres in Kerala for major performing art forms like Kudiyattam, Nangiarkoothu and Kathakali and also for musical inst…
Kutiyattam, which boasts of a 2000-year-old cultural heritage as one of India’s oldest living theatrical traditions. This art form is officially recognised by UNESCO a…
The Dance of the Divine - an article about Theyyam, as an artform of Kerala.
C V N Kalari at Edakkad, Kozhikode district of Kerala is run by Mr.Sudhakaran Gurukal. The classes conducted here are for kalaripayattu, Massage and Marma treatment.
Kalamandalam Sathyabhama, who has been recently honoured with the Padma Shri, is an outstanding exponent of Mohiniyattam. An article about the artiste.
Painkulam Damodara Chakyar – renowned Kuttiyattam artiste of Kerala, India
Born in the year 1945 to Gopalan Nair and Meenakshi Amma, Sadanam Vasudevan is a maestro in thayamabaka (a solo chenda performance).
The traditional orchestras of Kerala are Panchavadyam, Pandi Melam, Panchari Melam and Thayambaka. Main percussion instruments used in these orchestras are thimila, madda…
Prof. Kalamandalam Balasubrahmanian, a veteran Kathakali artiste, retired as Principal of Kerala Kalamandalam in 2011Balasubrahmanian is most remembered for his pach…
Kuzhalmannam Ramakrishnan is a renowned Mridangam, percussion instrument, artist of Kerala. Ramakrishnan currently holds the world record of 'Longest performance in any t…
Kalamandalam Sivan Namboodiri is an inspiring presence in Kutiyattam, the ancient Sanskrit theatre of Kerala. Natino honoured this outstanding artiste of Kutiyattam with…
Duff Muttu is named after the percussion instrument used in the performance called Duff. The word is of Arabian origin and is made of wood and ox skin…
Chavara Parukutty Amma, an ever-inspiring and triumphant figure in the field of Kathakali in Kerala, India. Parukutty Amma became the first female artiste to have complet…
A temple of Kutiyattam, the Ammannur Chachu Chakyar Smaraka Gurukulam is a renowned training and performing centre for this divine art form. Formally registered as a char…
Kalamandalam Kombil Gopalan Vasudevan Nair, renowned Kathakali maestro of Kerala, India.
Swathi Thirunal Kalakendram Music Therapy Foundation, based at Thiruvannur in Kozhikode district of Kerala is noted for its pioneering efforts in the field of music thera…
Kerala Kalamandalam, one of the renowned training centre for classical arts forms of Kerala like Kathakali, Koodiyattam, Mohiniyattam, Nangiarkoothu and Thullal. One can…
Kalamandalam Rama Chakyar a Kutiyattam maestro of Kerala, India.
C.V.N. Kalari in Thiruvananthapuram is located inside the historic East Fort in the southern part of the city is a training centre for Kalarippayattu, kerala’ mart…
Mavelikara K. Velukutty Nair the renowned mridangam player.
Kutiyattam, the mode of Sanskrit theatre from Kerala, is the oldest performing art form in India and is the oldest extant form of theatre in the world today.
Mohiniyattam (Mohiniattam) is a classical dance form of Kerala in South India. Mohiniyattam comes from the words mohini meaning a woman who enchants onlookers a…
Chavittunatakam, a colourful and vigorous theatre form of Kerala, popular among the Christian communities of Kodungallur.
Mudiyettu is a ritual art mostly performed in the Ernakulam and Kottayam districts of Kerala. It is usually performed in temples dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakal…
Believed to be the oldest Padayani in Kerala, Neelamperoor Padayani transforms a sleepy hamlet of Alappuzha to a one that is rich in grandeur and spectacle
Poomully Mana in the Palakkad district of Kerala is the house of experts in Ayurveda, Kalarippayattu, and Yoga and also of performing arts.
Madhavan Nayar Foundation, the Art and History Museum complex at Edappally in Kochi comprises Museum of Kerala History, Paintings, Sculptures, Indian Miniatures, Dollsââ…
Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair, a veteran in the art form of Kathakali, is full of energy even at the age of 97. Kathakali, a unique dance-drama of Kerala, had its origin in…
Kalamezhuthu, a unique powder drawing ritual art of Kerala, though temple-centered, has the elements of tribal and Dravidian cultures. Kalamezhuthu is an integral part of…
Kathakali Vesham, generally known as Kathakali make up is the main artistic thing which attracts the spectors in a Kathakali or classical dance drama. The accepted con…
Mannadi, a village situated near Adoor in Pathanamthitta, is the place where Veluthampi Dalawa spent his last days. A historical museum, statue of Veluthampi Dalawa and t…
Poonthanam Illam in Malappuram district of Kerala is the house of Poonthanam Namboothiri, an exponent of the Krishna cult who wrote the jnanappana (Song of Knowledge).
Mannar is a major business town midway between Mavelikkara and Thiruvalla in Alappuzha district of Kerala.
KCS Panicker Gallery, is an art gallery dedicated to the eminent painter KCS Panicker. The art gallery is located near Napier Museum in Thiruvananthapuram.
Inchakkadu Ramachandran Pillai the finest living exponent of the southern style of Kathakali.
A martial art with a legacy of more than 3000 years, Kalaripayattu, the traditional martial art form of Kerala is regarded as the oldest and most scientific of all martia…
Olappamanna Mana, located at Vellinezhi, Cherplassery in Palakkad is the ancestral home of feudal lords belonging to the priestly Namboodiri Brahmins of Cherplassery, who…
Krishnankutty Pulavar Memorial is situated at Koonathara near Shoranur in Palakkad district of Kerala. This is a centre which promotes and sustains the old ritual art for…
The traditional mural paintings of Kerala are a fine art of skill and creative excellence. Most of the noted mural works of Kerala were done between the 15th and 19th cen…
The ancient ritual of Kalamezhuthu in which, coloured powders made from natural ingredients are mixed with equal measures of devotion, passion and beauty and then applied…
Kottayi village in Palakkad is the birth place of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar. The place hosts the annual Chembai Parthasarathy Ekadasi Music festival in memory of th…
Thonnakkal Peethambaran - a Kathakali Maestro from Kerala who recently won the State Kathakali Prize for 2013.
Patayani, a ritual dance developed through village cultural practices with Pre-Dravidian origins. The Malayalam months of Meenam and Medam (March-April) pay homage to the…
Gandhi Seva Sadan Kathakali and Classic Arts Academy is also known as Kathakali Sadanam. Located in ten-acre campus of its own in Perur village at Ottapalam in Palakkad d…
Kunchan Smarakam is situated at Killikurissimangalam at Lakkidi which is about 30 km from Palakkad district, Kerala. It is a memorial dedicated to Kunchan Nambiar, the in…
Sree Chithra Enclave in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala depicts he history of the Travancore Royal Family and displays their personal belongings and artifacts.
Nelliyodu Vasudevan Namboodiri is widely acclaimed as the most talented of Kathakali artistes to present the chuvanna thaadi vesham (‘vesham’ means character). The co…
Utsavam, the Kerala Arts Festival is a cultural feast for the endangered and the lesser-known art forms and artistes of Kerala. Prompted Kerala Tourism, Utsavam 2021 is a…
Kerala Sahitya Academi at Chembukkavu is located in a sprawling bungalow in Thrissur. An autonomous institution established for the promotion of Malayalam literature and…
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academi, situated at Chembukkavu, is a centre established to train, preserve and patronise music and dance in Kerala.
Kumbham, situated at Aruvacode in Malapuram is known for its heritage in pottery. It commenced as a joint exploration of Mr K B Jinan and other traditional artisans.
Kathakali sadanam, one of the noted Kathakali (classical theatre art form) training centres located at Perur in Palakkad district of Kerala.
Mattannoor Sankarankutty is renowned Chenda artiste from Kerala. Chenda is a south Indian percussion instrument.
Sankarankutty's collaboration with mridangam wizard Uma…
Kochi-Muziris Biennale, a pilgrimage to artistic expressions. This monumental event brings in about 80 artists from 24 countries besides India who would be presenting the…
The prestigious Sri Swathi Thirunal College of Music, named after the great Swathi Thirunal, the erstwhile Maharaja of Travancore has a legacy of several decades. A four-…
The College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Nishagandhi and Utsavam are the two cultural events organized by Kerala tourism for the promotion of dance and music and traditional performing art forms of Kerala held e…
Theeyattu is the traditional ritual in dance form  and is performed by the members of Theeyaattunni or Thiyaadi Nambiar community in Kerala. Bhadraka…
Kalariyil Dharmikam ashram, a well known institution for Kalarippayattu or martial art form of kerala training. It is located at at Parasuvaikkal in the southern part of…
The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi a Government of Kerala institution for the conservation and promotion of ethnic music, dance, drama and folk arts. The institution is…
Kathakali the renowned dance-drama of Kerala represents the pinnacle of aesthetic perfection achieved by the rich tradition of performing arts in the region
Sarppam Thullal is one such ritual that has been associated with propitiating the serpent gods.
The C.V.N. Kalari functioning at Nadakkavu in Kozhikode is a training center for the marital art form, Kalaripayattu.
Kathakali the supreme art form of Kerala has always had followers and gurus whose devotion and passion for this art helped to sustain it during the trials of time. Madavo…
Navaratri, which literally means nine nights, falls in the months of September / October, every year. In Kerala the final three days of Navaratri – Ashtami, Navami…
Soorya Festival, an annual cultural event organised by the Soorya Stage and Film Society, is one of the longest and most prestigious cultural events in India.
Kudamaloor is the birthplace of St Alphonsa, the first Indian woman to be canonized as a saint.
Sarpam Thullal is a unique ritual art performed in temples and sacred groves in Kerala to appease the snake gods and thereby bring prosperity to the family
A well-known folk dance of Kerala, Kanyarkali is a fast-moving dance form performed against a background of rhythmic devotional folk songs and resounding drum beats
Kathakali, the classical art of Kerala, is an amalgamation of devotion, drama, dance, music, elaborate costumes and loud make-up.Â
It is an art form that takes the audi…
An intrinsic folk theatre of Palakkad, Porattukali is an interfusion of dance, music and satire.
Nalukettu is the most developed form of the typical Kerala mansion. The construction of nalukettu follows the norms and principles of the traditional Thachu Sasthra. Th…
The Kunchan Nambiar Smarakam, the memorial at his birthplace incorporating his ancestral Kalakkath house in Killikkurissiimangalam in Lakkidi, Palakkad, Kerala, India.
Niranam at Thiruvalla is in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. The famous church here is believed to be among one of the seven-and-a-half churches originally established by…
V. Dakshinamoorthy, popularly known as Dakshinamoorthy Swamy, a living legend in the field of Carnatic and film music in south India.
The unique architectural style of Kerala had a tremendous influence in the evolution of Kerala's mural tradition. Padmanabhapuram, Krishnapuram and Mattancherry palaces,…
One of the traditional dances of south India Mayilattam is performed only by female dancers by and large in the Hindu temples in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in veneration to Lo…
A traditional temple dance form that is prevalent in the southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The dance is usually performed by the devotees of Bhagavathy or Mari Am…
Varkala Kathakali Centre is situated near the north Cliff and it arranges Kathakali performance for the tourists.
Thidambu dance is a ritual temple art form performed in the temples of North Malabar and Kasaragod District. Thidambu denotes the decorated replica of the deity in a temp…
