| Kerala is famous for its art, poets and
musicians, its traditional dance forms, and its distinctive
architecture. Craft workers in Kerala continue the ancient
arts of woodcarving and wall-painting. For ages, the
rich and vibrant culture of Kerala has intrigued people
worldwide. The songs and dances of the people, their
ballads, their rituals and their intellectual pursuits.
Truly, the real treasures of Kerala lay in the cultural
heritage of its people.
Kerala has its own typical art forms which reflect
the life and outlook of the people. From 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, to the folk dances which are reflections
of the rhythmic impulses of a sensitive people.
Kathakali, krishnanttom, kolkkali, oppana, thiruvathirakali,
koodiyattom, thullal, mohiniyattom, duffmuttu are popular
performing art forms of Kerala |
| |
Kathakali is the most popular
sacred dance-drama of Kerela. Kathakali evolved across
the last 400 years. This classical dance of Kerela requires
lengthy and rigorous training to attain complete control
of the body and a sensitivity to emotion so as to be able
to render all its nuances through facial expressions and
hand gestures. Kerala owes its transnational fame to
this nearly 300 years old classical dance form which
combines facets of ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime.
It is said to have evolved from other performing arts
like Kootiyattam, Krishnanattam and Kalarippayattu.
Kathakali explicates ideas and stories from the Indian
epics and Puranas.
Presented in the temple precincts after dusk falls
Kathakali is heralded by the Kelikottu or the beating
of drums in accompaniment of the Chengila (gong). The
riches of a happy blending of colour, expressions, music,
drama and dance is unparallelled in any other art form. |
