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Kerala Arts
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Kerala,
the God's own country is blessed with various art
forms. The various art forms of Kerala are Classical
Arts, Folk Arts, Martial Arts, Fine Arts and Temple
Music. |
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Classical Arts of Kerala
The classical arts of Kerala dates back to thousand
of years. Some of the classical arts of Kerala are
Kathakali, Chakyarkoothu, Koodiyattam, Mohiniyattam,
Krishnanattam, Patakam and Thullal. |
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Kathakali
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Kathakali is the popular art form of Kerala.
Kathakali literally means the story play. This
spectacular classical dance drama of Kerala is
based on the guidelines laid by the Natya Sastra,
the ancient treaty on dance and drama. This
classical dance is usually performed in the
evenings and cultural festivals in Kerala. This
dance is also referred as the first theatre of
imagination of the world due to its elaborate and
ornamental costumes, ornaments and facial make-up.
In this dance, the actors do not speak or sing but
enact the story through mudras (hand gestures),
graceful movements and facial expressions. The
themes of the dance are taken from the colourful
and rich mythology of India. Music is an essential
part of the Kathakali dance, where two vocalists
sings to the accompaniment of a chengila (gong),
elathalam (small cymbals), chenda and maddalam.
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Krishnanattam
The Krishnanattam dance originated as a votive offering
to Sree Krishna. This dance is performed in groups and
based on the Krishna Geetha, the Sanskrit text. This
dance is presented for eight nights. The charm of this
classical dance can be seen in the synchronized graceful
movements of the entire group. The costume and makeup of
Krishnattam resembles to Kathakali and folk arts like
Thiyattam, Mudiayettu and Theyyam. The musical
instruments which are used in this dance are maddalam,
elathalam and chengila. Krishnattam is most commonly
performed in the Guruvayoor temple. |
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Mohiniyattam
Mohiniyattam is another classical dance of Kerala.
This dance of the enchantress combines the
graceful elegance of Bharatanatyam and the vigour
and dynamism of Kathakali, to create a mood that
is predominantly sringara (erotic). The dance is
usually performed on specially put up stages in
connection with temple festivals. The costume is
the traditional white mundu and melmundu of Kerala.
The hair is gathered and put up at the side of the
head and adorned with jasmine, in the traditional
style. Mohiniyattom reflects the graceful nature
of the land. The movements of the dancer can be
compared to the palms swaying in the gentle breeze
and the sweeping waves which are a part of
Kerala’s lush landscape. |
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Chakyarkoothu
Chakyarkoothu also known as Koothu, is one of the oldest
classical theatre arts of Kerala. The solo dance is
usually presented in the Koothambalam of temples with
the mizhavu and elathalam. The performance begins with
an invocation to the presiding deity of the temple. The
narration is accompanied with the thandava dance
movements, gestures and facial expressions according to
the guidelines in Natya Sastra. Koothu is mainly known
for its comic element which is added to its dramatic
character. The themes are taken from the epics. The
costume is colourful and bizarre with a strange
headgear.
Patakam
Patakam literally means dissertation. Patakam is similar
to Koothu in technical content, gestures and movements.
The narration is made through prose and song sequences.
The dancers wear the red colour costume like the red
head dress and a red silk wrist band. The performer also
wears heavy garlands around the forehead. Patakam is
performed outside the temples.
Koodiyattam
Koodiyattam that literally means dancing together is one
of the oldest dance drama in India. This dance drama is
associated with temple rituals and was recently selected
by UNESCO as one among the ‘Masterpieces of the Oral and
Intangible Heritage of Humanity’. This dance is based on
the Sanskrit text and is performed from a few days to
few weeks. The Koothambalam is elaborately decorated
with plantain trees, bunches of |
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tender
coconut and fronds of coconut leaves. But, the
stage is very simple. Koodiyattam is performed in different stages which
begins with the opening beat of a drum, the invocation (vandana
slokam), the purification ceremony, an interlude of
orchestra and the actual recital. The makeup patterns
and costumes of Koodiyattam are believed to be the
forerunners of the costumes in Kathakali. |
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Thullal
Thullal is a modification of the Koothu and
characterized by simplicity of presentation, wit and
humour. Thullal, another classical art form of dance
keeps the audience in a constant state of merriment.
This dance form was originated by Kunjan Nambiar, one of
the leading poets of Malayalam. The solo performance is
marked by fast and rhythmic movements. The dancer
himself sings the lead to the accompaniment of the
maddalam and elathalam. Ottanthullal, Seethanganthullal
and Parayanthullal are the three different types of
Thullal based on the metre and rhythm of the songs and
difference in their costume and dance. In this dance
also, the dancers wear colourful costumes, with
elaborate headgears and paintings on the face. This
dance is usually presented during temple festivals. |
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Folk
Arts of Kerala
Kerala has a rich repertoire of folk performing arts,
folk songs and folk drama reflecting man's overpowering
rapport with nature and his constant desire for
communication with the unknown. The tribal people of
Kerala keep alive a folklore tradition in the
eco-friendly life they lead and the natural pharmacy
they practice. Theyyam, Thira, Mudiyettu, Kaduvakali,
Velakali, Kakkarissi Natakom, Chavittunatakam,
Margamkali, Kolkali, Parichamuttukali, Bhadrakalipattu,
Pulluvanpattu, Thiruvathirakali are few of the Kerala's
folk art forms, some of them being ritual arts. Theyyam
exists in four hundred different forms. The brilliantly
painted masks worn by the artists of Theyyam, Padayani
are fine examples of the crafts of the Kerala. The masks
and headgear of Theyyam symbolize the social
consciousness and a sense of morality. The best time to
enjoy the performing arts of Kerala is during January and
February, the time of temple festivals.
Martial Arts of Kerala
Kalaripayattu, the martial art form of Kerala is
regarded as the oldest and most scientific in the world.
The training in combat is given at the Kalari (training
school). The principles of Kalari education stipulate
that training in martial arts begins with an oil massage
of the body which goes on until the body is agile and
supple. Feats like chattom, ottam, marichil, etc. are
then taught, followed by lessons in the use of weapons
such as daggers, swords, spears, maces, bow and arrow.
Kalaripayattu training aims at the ultimate
co-ordination of the mind and body. The traditional
training in a kalari includes specialization in
indigenous medical practices too. Kalaris are also
centers of religious worship. The general guidelines to
be followed in Kalaripayattu demand that once the course
is complete, a person should undergo oil massage and
engage in the practice of the feats at least once a year
to help him keep in shape.
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Fine Arts of Kerala
The fresco paintings of Kerala are classified as
"Fresco-secco" characterized by its lime colour and
technique in which the walls are painted only when it
becomes completely dry. As per the Shilparatna, the
principal text on Indian painting techniques, white,
yellow, red, black and terreverte or Syama are the pure
colors that are used, either alone or mixed to derive a
different colour. Ochre-red, Ochre-yellow, white, bluish
green and pure green are the predominant colours that
are used in Kerala murals. Golden yellow, brown,
yellowish green, greenish blue and sky blue are
also used. Lemon Juice or solution of Thurisu (Copper Sulphate)
was used to apply on the surface to mellow the
alkalinity of lime before painting the
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surface.
Color
dyes were prepared from vegetable, mineral pigments and
crude chemicals. Flat, medium and fine are three types
of brushes which are used to apply the paint. Once the
theme is selected, the outline is sketched with dung
crayons and then painted with appropriate colors.
Shilparatna recommends three types of coloring the
human characters according to their status. The Hindu
scriptures classify human race as Satwa (the noble),
Rajas (active after power) and Tamas (low and mean
characters). The Satwik is depicted by shades of green,
Rajasik by red or gold and Tamasik in white and the
demons and demoness by black. The art of painting on
walls in Kerala belongs to prehistoric era. Paintings
found in the Anjanad Valley of Idukki district are
believed to be the oldest. According to the
archaeologists these belong to different periods from
early Paleolithic era to recent past. Rock engravings
belonging to Mesolithic era were also unearthed in
Edakkal in Wayanad and Perumkadavila in
Thiruvananthapuram District. The mural tradition of
Kerala influenced by the Pallava art can be traced back
to seventh and eighth century AD. |
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Temple Music of Kerala
The Pancharimelam or Pandimelam is the traditional
temple percussion music. Panchavadyam literally means
five instruments. It is traditional temple music
accompanying processions and pageants. The five
instruments are Chenda, Kuzhal, Edakka, Elathalam,
Timila. Some of the musical instruments used in the
temple are Chenda, Maddalam, Udukku, Thakil, Veekuchenda,
Timila, Ganjira, Edakka, Thudi Kuzhal (horn), Elathalam
(small Cymball), Chengila (bronze gong), Chaplankatta (a
wooden device struck together using the fingers),
Nagaswaram (Long Horn), Mizhavu (a large copper pot),
Nanthuni (Instrument similar to the veena). |
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