Thiruvathirakali or Kaikottikali is a dance performed by women to celebrate marital fidelity and female energy, for this is what brought Kamadeva (the God of love) back t…
Theeyattu is a solo dance-drama performed in front of the Kalam or Dhooli Chitram in some Bhagavathy temples of Thiruvalla, Kottayam, Thripunithura and neighbouring areas…
Kalamezhuthu, a ritualistic art, is a common feature of temples as well as noble households. Kalam, a unique drawing, is also called dhooli chithram or powder drawing. Th…
Mudiyettu is a ritual dance performed in some Kaali temples of Ernakulam and Kottayam districts (central Kerala). The dance celebrates the Goddess' triumph over the demon…
Thullal is a solo performance combining the dance and recitation of stories in verse. Thulla is a satiric art form and was introduced in the18th century by the renowned p…
Mohiniyattam, the sinuous dance of the enchantress, is a classical dance form of Kerala. This dance form is unique with its slow, graceful, swaying movements of the body…
Oppana is a dance form essential to the festivities of Malabar Muslims. To the songs of Mappilappattu maidens and young female relatives sing and dance around the bride,…
Theyyam, also known as Kaliyattam, is a ritual dance popular in north Kerala. Theyyam incorporates dance, mime and music and enshrines the rudiments of ancient tribal cul…
Kathakali, the 300 year old classical dance form of Kerala has combined the facets of ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime. Kathakali presents stories from Indian epic…
Arjuna nritham is a ritual art performed by men in the Bhagavathy temples of Kerala. Arjuna nritham is also called Mayilppeeli nritham as the costume includes a character…
Krishnanattom is a temple art of Kerala. The traditional performance lasts for eight days and covers the whole span of Krishna's life from his birth to 'Swargarohanam' or…
Paana or Pallippaana, is a ritual art to propitiate the goddess Bhadrakaali. Also known as Paanakali, the art form is popular in the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad and M…
Tholppavakkoothu or the shadow puppetry of Kerala is a ritual art performed during the annual festivals in the Kaali temples of Palakkad district. The theme of the play i…
Poothanumthirayum a ritual offering to Goddess Kaali is performed in many places of South Malabar. A troupe of dancers dress up as Kaali (Thira) and Poothams (Spirits) da…
Kavadiyattam, a colourful ritual art, widely prevalent in the Subramanya temples all over Kerala during the festival seasons. Percussion instruments like udukku, chenda a…
Patayani is a week- long ritual dance, held in Kaali temples on the banks of the Pamba river during the Malayalam months of Meenam and Medam (March - April). Kadammanitta…
Kummattikkali is a mask dance popular in some of the northern districts of Kerala. The dancers, wearing painted wooden masks and dressed in sprigs of leaves and grass, go…
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
