Kerala Map History Art Forms Ayurveda/Yoga Hill Stations Beaches Backwaters Wildlife

Kerala, God's own country, has a rich and powerful cultural heritage separated from the other states by the Vindhya Mountains and the ocean. This region has developed in the course of centuries and decades it's own cultural heritage.

Kathakali Kathakali is a very popular dance form with the tourists visiting Kerala. It is actually a dance drama performed by mostly male artists. The actor convey the message of the story through very expressive facial movements and mudras (hand gesture). The background singers provide the dialogue. The face of the Kathakali artists is colourfully painted to suit the role. The painted face is often mistaken for a mask. Kerala Kalamandalam, near Trichur is a major Kathakali training centre

Mohiniyattam Mohiniyattam, the Dance of the Enchantress, embodies the traditional feminine aesthetic. Based on lasya, the form that gives homage to the god, it is a dance that expresses worship. The dance derives its name from the female form, Mohini, Portrayed throughout the Purana legends. Such legends tell of Vishnu who assumed the female who assumed the female form of Mohini in order to quell the destructive rage of demons. It is a dance of the enchantress who creates chaos and devastation for evil doers and pleasure and ecstasy for the righteous. It is a solo performance where the woman stands alone in grace, dignity and pure aesthetic pleasure. The rasa (sentiment) evoked by the dance is said to be one of love. The dancer mover with soft, flowing fluidity. She wears a white sari edged in gold.

Theyyam A temple ritual dance of northern Kerala and southern Karnataka, Theyyam is usually performed in honour of the temple deity to seek protection from disease and other harmful events. Dancers are attired in elaborate paint and costumes as they take on a trance-like presence, which many believe encapsulates aspects of the deity.

OttamThullal Ottam Thullal is a typical solo-dance in which the humorous element from Kuthu and the musical element from Kathakali are combined. In Ottam Thullal a single actor wears colourful costume as in Kathakali and recites Thullal or dance songs to the accompaniment of acting and dancing. In Ottam Thullal also the symbols and gestures used in Kathakali find a place. A single actor plays many parts, the acting being accompanied by his own singing unlike in Kathakali. Neverthless, in Ottam Thullal a musician stands behind and gives the lead to the actor, another plays on the 'maddalam' or elongated drum and a third keeps the rhythm with a pair of cymbals. The popularity of Ottam Thullal as a dance form has continued undiminished to this day.