ART & CULTURES

Kathakali literally meaning 'story-dance' is the dance-drama of Malabar which is now culturally and politically known as Kerala’s soul. Kathakali traced its origin to the ritualistic (tantric) period of the Vedic Age and connected its growth from the popular, folk dance dramas. The early Malabari danced in the forests: His dance was a power- a mixture of his passions, erotic pleasures and inner talks with the beauteous Nature, and his natural and graceful movements, elaborate gestures, picturesque costumes, grand harmonic make-up suggested by herbal plants of the forests and the vigorous and triumphant music emerging out of the crude instruments manufactured .



Mohiniyattom is a classical dance that adopts a mean between the two parallel streams of classical dances – Bharatanaatyam and kathakali – in technique and style, both fixed according to Naatya Shastra, the scriptures of the Indian classical tradition. The fusion is remarkable because the effect created by the blending of the graceful elegance of Bharatanaatyam with the earthy vigour and dynamism of kathakali has a subtle, seductive appeal that is at once charming and alluring. Mohiniaattam essentially is a solo dance form performed by females. However, there has been instances of three or more girls jointly performing nritta or pure dance items.



Chaakyaar koothu is one of the plays performed in temples. This is enacted in the special dance hall called Koothambalam, connected to the temples. It is performed by people belonging to the Chaakyaar community. The word koothu is derived from the Sanskrit term, Koordanam which means ‘dance’. The Chaakyaar community is a group which earns its livelihood by performing Chaakyaar koothu and Koodiyaattam. There are many versions regarding the origin of the term Chaakyaar, The Chaakyaars are believed to be people who have been ostracized from the Namboodiri Brahmin Community. The women of the community are called Illottamma.



Margomkaliis an ancient art form performed by the Syrian Christians of Kerala. It is most popular among the Knanaya sect of Christians. The term Maargam is representative of the Christian Community. This word which has the meaning ‘enquiry’, ‘path’ or ‘religion’ is popular in Buddhism. The famous statement in the Bible which says “I am the path, Truth and Life. Nobody can reach the Father without me; makes clear, the essence of the word Maargam. The theme of the Maargamkali songs is the journey of Maar Thoma all over India. The Christians of Kerala, especially the Knanaya Christians, maintain their Syrian Jew Tradition in Church rituals and social observances.