Kerala Art Forms And Their Cultural Heritage

Kerala is a land with breathtaking beauty and known as God’s Own Country. When Kerala comes to our mind we visualize lined up coconut trees and paddy fields along with the beautiful forest. Located in the southernmost part of India, the state stands out with:

• supreme harmony
• tranquillity
• unity

 Kerala reserved high esteem when it comes to its traditions, heritage, and rituals. 

Arts of Kerala is another proud aspect of the state. The state has successfully preserved all of its art forms for centuries. Hence even today Kerala is the mother of unique arts of Kerala which have survived by passing the tests of time. Kerala is home to the most beautiful and exuberant art forms like Kathakali which pose social commentary in the form of lyrical narration.

Arts Of Kerala

Due to the abundance of art forms and their cultural heritage, Kerala became well known for art forms. The place is also popular as the land of festivals. It is home to unique communities that have contributed diverse Kerala art forms to the state. These communities even perform these unique art forms even today. It’s a land of colourful culture and classical Kerala art forms. Some of the traditional art forms of Kerala are:

1. Thira
2.  Poothan
3. Theeyattam
4. Tholpavakoothu
5. Ottamthullal
6. Mohiniyattam 
7. Krishnanattam
8.  Nangiar
9. Koothu
10. Panchavadyam

Some More Traditional Art Forms Of Kerala

Kathakali

Kathakali is one of the Kerala art forms which have elaborated costuming. Kathakali is nothing but a form of classical dance which is not only treated as India’s best classical dance form but also considered as one of the best traditional art forms of Kerala. Kathakali has its origin in Kerala and was later developed and established as traditional Hindu performance art.

Mohiniyattam

If you list another best Kerala art form, Mohiniyattam comes in next in the list. This art form is a type of solo dance, performed by women. Mohiniyattam can only be performed with extensive training. The name is originated from the female avatar of Vishnu, a Hindu god. Mohiniyattam is performed with various rhythms and it’s one of the most beautiful and ritual art forms of Kerala. 

Theyyam

Theyyam is one of the best ritual art forms of Kerala, especially in the popular Malabar region, north Kerala. This art form is usually performed for the village shrine. Theyyam is performed by well-trained and best dancers along with drummers. 

Thullal

Thullal is one of the most vibrant and colourful traditional art forms of Kerala. While performing Thullal, performers wear colourful costumes and green makeup on their faces. There are three main most spectacular and exotic ritual performances under Thullal. They are known as :

1. Sarpam Thullal
2. Kolam Thullal
3. Ottan Thullal

Padayani

Padayani is one of the ceremonial or ritual art forms of Kerala. It is a traditional art that is exhibited mainly in the Bhagavati temples of Kerala. Theyyam and Patayani are two major ritual dances with certain similarities but we can find differences when it involves ancient martial arts. 

A Few Ritual Art Forms Of Kerala

Pulikali

Onam is one of the major festivals of Kerala and Puli Kali is usually performed during this festival. Onam is one of the annual festivals celebrated for harvesting and Puli Kali entertains people involved in the celebration. Originally Pulikali is performed to create awareness among farmers. The theme behind this performance is tiger hunting and Puli means Tiger and Pulikali means play of tigers. This is one of the best traditional art forms of Kerala and is popular in the Thrissur district of Kerala.

Onapottan

Onapottan is one more art form performed during Onam and it is one of the popular ritual art forms of Kerala. But North Onapottan has majorly performed in the North Malabar region during Onam. In this performance, a folk character with a crown and painted face is showcased on the day of the festival. 

Thirayattam

Thirayattam’s performance belongs to the South Malabar region. It is popular in the south region of Malappuram and Kozhikode district. Thirayattam is performed by three communities and they are:

• Cherumar
• Panan
• Perumannan

Koodiyattam

Koodiyattam comes under one of the popular theatre-performed art forms in Kerala. Koodiyattam gains the highest popularity since it is recognized by UNESCO as the Masterpiece of Intangible and Oral Heritage of Humanity. This art form is nothing but the Sanskrit drama but performed in traditional style. Koodiyattam is mainly exhibited with musical instruments in temple theatres of Kerala. 

Kummattikali

Kummatti is among the well-known arts of Kerala for mask dance and it is very colourful. This dance form is also performed during the Onam season and mainly in the Palakkad and Thrissur districts of Kerala. While performing Kummatti kali, dancers are covered with grass and they exhibit stories of Ramayana through their dance performance. 

Kalaripayattu

Kalaripayattu is one of the combat Kerala art forms and it is well known as a battlefield art. It is mainly practised in the central as well as the northern part of Kerala. Kalaripayattu is nothing but a martial art form and it is popular as one of the oldest fighting systems that survived for centuries. The defensive and attacking patterns in Kalaripayattu are beautiful and popular. 

Chakyar Koothu

Chakyar Koothu is one of the beautiful performance and story arts of Kerala. The Chakyar community in Kerala performs this classical art form and it is one of the oldest art forms of Kerala. Chakyar community performs Chakyar Koothu in temples. 

Conclusion On The Arts Of Kerala

Kerala is extremely rich in its heritage, culture, and art forms. Every art form of Kerala is beautiful and everyone must experience it. Kerala’s culture is a mixture of Dravidian and Indian cultures. Martial Art of Kalaripayattu, performing arts like Mohiniyattam and Kathakali are world-famous art forms of Kerala. The arts of Kerala represent the rich heritage and culture of the state.