My Kerala

Mappila Paattu or Mappila Song is a folklore Muslim song genre rendered to lyrics in colloquial Mappila dialect of Malayalam laced with Arabic, by the Mappilas of Malabar. Mappila songs have a distinct cultural identity, while at the same time, remain closely linked to the cultural practices of Kerala. The songs often used words from…

Mangalamkali is a dance ritual related to marriage functions as a form of entertainment. Usually Pulayas (a tribe in Kerala state of south India) perform this. Certain music instruments too are used like Para and Kannupara. The dance is very fast. Margam Kali is an art form popular among the Syrian Christian community of the…

Malayikkuthu (Malayikuthu, Malayikkuth) is a dance ritual performed by the people of Malayi sect in Kerala, South India. Devakanni and Narada are two characters that comprise Malayikkuthu. Davakanni’s costume consists of gold and silver ornaments, pleated cloths and doted dresses. Narada wears silver ornaments and other colorful clothes. The face is decorated with turmeric and…

Kuthiyottam is one of the main offering at the Chettikulangara Devi Temple.It is a ritualistic symbolic representation of human bali (Human Sacrifice). Kali is one of the most significant divinities, and many texts and contexts treat Kali as an independent deity, not directly associated with a male god. In case she is associated with a…

Kummattikali or Kummatti Kali is the famous colorful mask-dance of Kerala, South Malabar in particular. During the festival of Onam, Kummattikali performers move from house to house collecting small gifts and entertaining people. Kummatti dances are rampant in the Thrissur district during Onam. Pristine or original form of Kummattikali can be seen in the Bhadrakali…

Kothammuriyattom is a village folk art form of North Kerala, India. It is in fact Godavariyattom. Basically it is a theyyam with the image of a cow-face attached to mid part of the body. Usually a boy is selected to do this. Special hair work, face pack, and costumes accompany this. And paniyas too accompany…

Koodiyattam (Malayalam: α┤òα╡éα┤ƒα┤┐α┤»α┤╛α┤ƒα╡ìα┤ƒα┤é, Sanskrit: αñòαÑéαñƒαñ┐αñ»αñ╛αñƒαÑìαñƒαñ«αÑì, IAST: K┼½ß╣¡iy─üß╣¡ß╣¡aß╣â) or Kutiyattam is a form of Sanskrit theatre traditionally performed in the state of Kerala, India. Performed in he Sanskrit language in Hindu temples, it is believed to be 2,000 years old. It is officially recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of…

Kolkali (Malayalam:α┤òα╡ïα┤▓α╡ìΓÇìα┤òα┤│α┤┐) is a folk art performed in North Malabar region of Kerala State in south India. The dance performers move in a circle, striking small sticks and keeping rhythm with special steps. The circle expands and contracts as the dance progress. The accompanying music gradually rises in pitch and the dance reaches its climax….

Kolam Thullal is a ritual dance form prevalent in south Kerala, southern India. It is customary in houses and temples of Bhagavathy, a female deity. It is performed at temple festivals and to drive away evil spirits from the “possessed” bodies. Its origins lie with the Tinta group of the Kaniyar caste.Tippu Sultan. Kolam thullal…

Kerala Natanam can be called a stylised form of Kathakali. Guru Gopinath developed his own style that was appealing to the masses who were then devoid of art and dance, without compromising on the classical background. He never tried to reform Kathakali and to tamper with the originality and purity it possessed.He was instrumental to…