folk art forms

Kerala has a rich variety of folk arts. They are highly developed and reflects the temperaments and moods of the localities in music and costume. Many of these dances are performed by man alone, some exclusively by women and there are also dances in which men and women perform together. Most of folk dances are performed to the accompaniment of songs which are sung by the dancers themselves or occasionally by a group of musicians. Some dances performed to the accompaniment of musical instruments only.

In earlier days folk arts flourished under the shadow of feudalism. It attempted to raise voice against the social and economic inequalities of the time. As it was satirical in tone, the ritualistic element was relatively less. People in ancient times believed that enactment of various rituals before village temples and other public places would solve all their problems.

Most of the folk arts of Kerala are closely associated with rituals. In some, like poorakkali theatre element predominates. Others which are performed as part of rituals, like kolkali, thiruvathirakali, etc, can boast of independent status as art forms. Still others, like theyyam and mudiyettu, have the ritual and art elements beautifully intertwined. Some magical rituals, like kolam thullal and sarpam thullal do not have performers that are comparable with the rest. A few others are performed to propitiate gandharvas or nagas, or for obtaining children. In some folk arts, the elements of drama and dance are so intermixed that it is difficult to classify them. Theyyam, mudiyettu, poorakkali, etc are at once ritualistic performances, folk drama as well as dance. There are others like theeyattu, kolamthullal, sarpam thullal, etc., which combine music, painting, drama and dance.

Related Topics
Performing Arts of Kerala   Theyyam   Kalampattu   Kunhi Theyyam   Kaliyoottu   Kavadiyattam   Kummattikali   Kuthiyottam   Sarpapattu   Thidampunrittam   Mayilnrittam   Padayani   Pulikali   Margamkali   Cherumarkali   Mudiyettu   Arjuna Nritham   Kannyarkali   Theeyattu   Paana   Tholpavakoothu