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ARTS OF KERALA

The Indian state, kerala is well known for its diverse forms of performing arts. The various communities in Kerala contribute to its rich and colorful culture.

Kerala is a haven for the lover of dance, drama and music and festivals.You have scores of art forms, which are quite unique in nature to Kerala, like Kathakali, Ottamthullal, Chakyar koothu,Krishnanattam,Koodiyattam,Padayani, Kalaripayattu, Pavakathakali, Theyyam, Velakali, Thiruvathirakali, Kolkali, etc.These art forms help one to experience a gamut of varied emotions ranging from passion, love, kindness, compassion to mirth, joy, sorrow, grief,and from anger, wonder, horror to fear, valour, courage etc. 

Keralas art forms reflect the life and outlook of its people. Whether it is the renowned Kathakali, considered to be the complete art form as its synthesises all that is best in the fields of drama, music and dance, or the folk dances which are reflections of the rhythmic impulses of a sensitive group of people,the treasure house of Kerala's art forms is a feast for travellers and art lovers worldwide.

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In the arena of arts and festivals Kathakali is the best exposure of visual treat. It has mudras (palm and hand mode of expressions) Kathakali is an art with mudras and face expresions. There is meanings in each mudras. It has enriched with the character s and which are taken from puranas and myths of Hindu culture. In olden days Kathkali is an art exhibited only in the places. The local kings of Kerala encouraged Kathakali and they have been good art lovers and enjoyed Kathakali in every aspect. Minimun three days are the period to play Kathakali and now it seems shorted to maximum 5 hours. Kathkali would entertain you and everybody. This art form gradually changed its plays in to temple venues. There was a visionary who lived in Kerala decades ago and his name is shri. M.K.K Nair. Who has contributed so much to promote Kathakali in Kerala. There is an academy to teach Kathkali known as “kalamandalam”, and which is located at Cheruthuruthy near the Bharatha river (as Bharathapuzha to Malayalees). The great poet of Kerala, shri Vallathole Narayana Menon and shri M.K.K Nair are the initiators to start Kalamandalam. Kerala has some top masters (acharyas) who were involved in the faculty at Kalamandalam. The world famous Kathkali scholar was shri Pattikkamthody from Kalamandalam and he was a world famous Kathakali master.

 It can be difficult to imagine Kerala without art and cultural forms. As a dance form, Mohiniyattam is attractive and it has tradition over hundreds of years. It has everything to entertain the audience. Mohiniyattam gives you a visual treat.

 16th century is the originated period of Mohiniyattam. Basically, the art form Mohiniyattam reveals something colorful and it has everything that you would prefer from an art form. It plays in a solo mode of dance. Mohiniyattam is a graceful art form and it can be defined as a classic dance vision of Kerala. In the arena of Indian classical dance division, Mohiniyattam takes an important role. It’s one of the eight Indian classical dances. The Sangeet Natak Academy prefers Mohiniyattam as a very meaningful art form. This art form gets worldwide approval and hundreds of foreign women are coming every year to practice Mohiniyattam. The Kerala Kalamandalam particularly takes interest to promote Mohiniyattam. The temple and school festivals of Kerala enlarges lot of presenting opportunities to Mohiniyattam. As a solo recital by women, Mohiniyattam is very special in every aspect.

The third important art form is Thiruvathira or Thiruvathirai or Arudhra Darisanam is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Thiruvathirai (Arudhra) in Tamil means "sacred big wave", using which this universe was created by Lord Shiva about 132 trillion years ago. Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu, the Sri Natarajar temple's annual Festival, is celebrated on this date. In the month of Makaram Thiruvathira Star is celebrated in Mathira Peedika Devi Temple, owned by Thiruvithamcore Devaswom Board, near Kadakkal in Kollam District of Kerala state.Thiruvathira has a connection with lord moon.

It takes place on the full moon night in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) and this is also the longest night in a year.Literary and historical evidence in the form of stone inscriptions state that the festival has been celebrated on this day for more than 1500 years. Lord Shiva is praised in Tamil by many names, one of them is Athiraiyan , from Thiruvathirai (Thiru + Athirai)