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PROJECT

TOPIC

Traditional   Arts   Forms   of   Kerala

INTRODUCTION

                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, Chakyarkootu 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.

               Kerala is home to a stunningly unique variety of art forms which have impacted the social and cultural life of the state,adding to its typical character.Kathakali is the most popular art form in which the entire body is used to portray a story. The Kathakali artistes wear elaborate costumes, ornaments and facial make-up. Mohiniyattam , the dance of the enchantress is one highlighting feminine grace while Kalaripayattu  is an amazing martial art which is said to be the originator of karate, judo and  kungfu.

             Kerala is also distinctly famous for its other art forms like music and poetry as well as craft forms including murals, sculpture and architecture. The rich and vibrant culture of Kerala has been continuing to intrigue people worldwide. The traditional classic and folk songs and dances of the people, their ballads, their rituals and their intellectual pursuits form the real treasures of Kerala contributing to its rich cultural heritage

            Kerala art forms reflect the life and outlook of its people. Whether it is the renowned Kathakali, considered to be the complete art formas 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  art forms is a feast for  travelers  and art lovers warld wide

HINDU ARTS

KATHAKALI

                            Kathakali   is a stylized classical Indian dance drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion. It originated in the country's present day state of Kerala during the 17th century and has developed over the years with improved looks, refined gestures and added themes besides more ornate singing and precise drumming.

                  Kathakali  is one of the classical dance drama of Kerala  based on the guidelines written in  NatyaSastra. The costumes and makeup are ornamental, colorful and elaborate so that the gestures and expressions of the performer are easily seen and understood. The performers do not speak or sing but enact the story through hand gestures, body movements and facial expressions especially of the eyes. The themes of this art form are from mythology of Indian culture.

CHAKYAR KOOTHU

 Chakyar Koothu  is a performance art from Kerala South India. It is primarily a type of highly refined monologue  where the performer narrates episode from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata and stories from the Puranas.^[1] Sometimes, however,it is also a traditional equivalent of the modern stand-up comedy act, incorporating commentary on current socio-political events and personal comments directed at the members of the audience.^[2]

                   Chakyar Koothu is a performance art from Kerala,SouthIndia. It is primarily a type of     highly refinedmonologue where the performer narrates episodes   from  the Ramayana and the Mahabharata and stories from thePuranas. Sometimes, however, it is also  a traditional equivalent of the modern stand-up comedy act, incorporating commentary on current  socio-political events and personal comments directed at the members of the audience.

NANGIAR KUTHU

Nangiǎr Kūthu or Nangyar Koothu is an allied traditional art of Kutiyattam, an age-old Sanskrit drama tradition of India. It is performed traditionally by the women of the  Ambalavai    Nambiar community of Kerala, known as Nangyaramma, but has transcended the caste barrier since  the second half of the 20th century.

Nangiarkoothu, an offshoot of Kutiyattam, is a solo performance with an antiquity of 1500 years. It is the sole domain of female artistes. The stories for the performance are taken from the text Sree Krishna Charitam, depicting the life of Lord Krishna. During the performance the actress presents the longwinded stories of Lord Krishna through hand gestures, facial expressions, and body movements to the accompaniment of the resonant pot drum mizhavu.

MOHINIYATTAM

Mohiniyattam is a classical dance form from Kerala, India. Believed to have originated in 16th century  it is one of the eight Indian classical dance forms recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. It is considered a very graceful form of dance meant to be performed as solo recitals by women.

                        This is a distinctive classical solo dance form of Kerala. Slow, graceful, swaying movements of the body and limbs and highly emotiveeye and hand gestures are unique to this dance form. This art form has the blend of the grace of elegance of Bharata Natyam with the strength and force of kathakali to create a mood of romance. The costume for this dance is the traditional white mundu and melmundu of Kerala and with the hairs gathered up at one side of the head and adorned with jasmine flowers in the traditional style

THULLAL

it is an art form Kerala state, India. It was introduced in the 1700s by Kunchan Nambiar, one of the Prachina Kavithrayam . It is accompanied by a mridangam or an idakka .

                              This is another art form with its distinct simplicity of presentation and its frank, outspoken wit and humour. The songs are in simple Malayalam and the techniques employed are not rigid. The performer will have the freedom to tease even the audience during his performance. Though Thullal is based on the classical principles of Naatya Saastra, it is said to have been a modification of Koothu. It is organized by Kunjan nambiar, a veritable genius and one of the foremost poets of Kerala

POORAKALI

 Poorakkali is a traditional dance ritual performed by men during the nine-day Pooram festival in Bhagavathy temples across North Malabar in Kerala State of south India.

                      The Pooram festival begins with the Karthika asterism and concludes with the Pooram asterism of the month of Meenam according to the Malayalam calendar (corresponding to the sun sign Pisces according to the Julian Calendar) to honour Kamadeva, the god oflove.

                   The Poorakkali dance itself is performed by a troop of young men decked in lion costumes around a huge, multi-tiered, lit lamp, also known as a "nilavilukku." The dance involves masculine movements and acrobatic, martial art steps. No singers or musicians accompany the dance; instead, the dancers themselves keep rhythm by singing, clapping and executing synchronised foot-thumping movements. The dancers usually observe a month of abstinence and undergo strenuous practice before the performance. Most of the songs sung are hymns from The Ramayana or The Bhagavata.

                          The performers come from different sects of society like Thiyyar, Nambiar, Maniyani, Mukkuvan, Meyon, Chaliyan, Aasari, Moosari, Thattan, Kollan, etc. The basis of Poorakkali essentially is the memories of Vasanthapooja performed by inmates of different worlds like heaven, earth etc. Poorakkali spreads knowledge and entertainment. The show steals the hearts of audience with melodious songs and befitting body movements.

Payyanur, Vengara, Trikaripur and Aravath are among the places in North Malabar that are famous for this art form. The Panikkarsare well-known names in the world of Poorakkali and have contributed much to the survival and expansion of this art form.

 PADAYANI

Padayani, also called Padeni, (from the Malayalam word for military formations) is a traditional folk dance and a ritual art^[1] from the central portion of the Indian state of Kerala. A ceremonial dance involving masks, it is an ancient ritual performed in Bhagavati temples.^[2]The dance is performed in honor of Bhadrakaali.^[3] Meaning, a 'row of warriors', Padayani is an art form that blends music, dance, theatre, satire, facial masks, and paintings. It is part of worship of Bhadrakali and is staged in temples dedicated to the goddess from mid-December to mid-May. Padayani is unique to central Travancore, comprising the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. Padayani is regarded as a remnant of the Dravidian forms of worship that existed before the advent of Brahmanism.^[4]

Padayani is like Theyyam in north kerala. The percussion instruments used in Patayani are patayani thappu, chenda, para and kumbham.

THEYYAM

                                                          _{Theyyam  is a popular ritual form of worship ofNorthMalabar in Kerala,India,predominantinthe Kolathunadu area(consistinoFpresentday Kasargod, Kannur Districts, Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad andVadakara and Koyilandy Taluks of Kozhikode of Kerala) and also in Kodagu and Tulu nadu of Karnataka as a living cult with several thousand-year-old traditions, rituals and customs. The performers of Theyyam belong to the lower caste community, and have an important position in Theyyam. They are also known as 'malayanmar'.People of these districts consider Theyyam itself as a God and they seek blessings from this Theyyam. A similar custom is followed in the Tulu Nadu region of neighbouring Karnataka known} as Bhuta Kola.

TRADITIONAL ARTS FORMS OF KERALA

INTRODACTION

                       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. 

                        Kerala is home to a stunningly unique variety of art forms which have impacted the social and cultural life of the state,adding to its typical character.Kathakali is the most popular art form in which the entire body is used to portray a story. The Kathakali artistes wear elaborate costumes, ornaments and facial make-up.Mohiniyattam, the dance of the enchantress is one highlighting feminine grace while Kalaripayattu is an amazing martial art which is said to be the originator of karate,judo and kungfu.

                        Kerala is also distinctly famous for its other art forms like music and poetry as well as craft forms including murals, sculpture and architecture. The rich and vibrant culture of Kerala has been continuing to intrigue people worldwide. The traditional classic and folk songs and dances of the people, their ballads, their rituals and their intellectual pursuits form the real treasures of Kerala contributing to its rich cultural heritage.

              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 Keralas art forms is a feast for travellers and art lovers worldwide.