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History of Kerala
It's
an intricate network of innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and the
deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. Over 900 km of
this labyrinthine waterworld is navigable. The largest backwater stretch in
Kerala is the
Vembanad lake which flows through three districts and opens
out into the sea at the Kochi port.
The Ashtamudi Lake (literally, having eight arms), which covers a major portion
of Kollam district in the south, is the second largest and is considered the
gateway to the backwaters.
The Ketturvallom: Showcasing a unique heritage
The kettuvalloms (houseboats)
of Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 feet in length. It
took great skill and meticulousness to construct these giants by tying huge
planks of jack wood together, without the use of a single nail.
Today, these goods carriers have been adapted to make the most exciting tourism
product in India, the luxurious furnished houseboat. A kettuvallom usually has
one or two bath attached bedrooms, an open lounge, deck, kitchenette and a crew
comprising oarsmen, a cook and guide.
About
Kerala
Kathakali
(literally, story play):
This spectacular classical dance drama of Kerala based on the guidelines laid
by sage Bharatha's Natya Sastra, the ancient treatise on dance and drama, is
over 1500 years old. This elaborate art form is usually performed in the evening
and continues up to dawn, and is an integral part of all temple and cultural
festivals in Kerala.
The costumes and makeup are ornamental, elaborate and design to give a superhuman
effect. The actors do not speak or sing but enact the story through mudras (hand
gestures) graceful movements and facial expressions. The themes of this awe
inspiring art are taken from India's rich and colourful mythology.
Music is an essential feature of Kathakali with two vocalists who sing to the
accompaniment of a chengila (gong), elathalam (small cymbals), chenda and maddalam.
Chakyarkoothu:
Also called Koothu, is one of the oldest classical theatre arts of Kerala. The
solo dance is usually presented in the Koothambalam of temples to the accompaniment
of the mizhavu and elathalam. The performance begins with an invocation to the
presiding deity of the temple. The narration is enlivened with the thandava
dance movements, gestures and facial expressions according to the guidelines
in Natya Sastra. Koothu is distinct for its comic element which adds to its
dramatic character. Themes are usually from the epics. The costume is colourful
and bizarre with a strange headgear.
Koodiyattam (literally, dancing together)
It is perhaps the oldest dance drama still in existence in India. Based on the
Sanskrit text, a performance of this art form may last from a few days to a
few weeks. The Koothambalam is elaborately decorated with plantain trees, bunches
of tender coconut and fronds of coconut leaves; the stage, however, is simple.
Koodiyattam is performed in different stages-the opening beat of a drum, the
invocation (vandana slokam), the purificatory ceremony, an interlude of orchestra
and then the actual recital. Makeup patterns and costumes of Koodiyattam are
believed to be the forerunners of the Kathkali costume.
Krishnanattamas:
The name suggests, originated as a votive offering to sree Krishna. This group
performance, based on the Sanskrit text Krishna Geetha, is presented across
eight nights. The charm of this classical art form is in the synchronised graceful
movements of the entire group. The costume and makeup of Krishnanattam bear
traces of resemblances to Kathkali and folk arts likeThiyattam, Mudiyettu and
Theyyam. Musical instruments used are maddalam, elathalam and chengila. Krishnanattam
is most commonly performed in the Guruvayoor temple.
Mohiniyattam (the dance of the enchantress):
This classical solo dance form combines the graceful elegance of Bharatanatyam
with the vigour and dynamism of Kathakli, 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.
Patakam (literally, dissertation):
It is similar to Koothu in technical content, gestures and movements. However,
the narration is through prose and song sequences. The costume is predominated
by the red colour-the red head dress and a red silk wrist band. The performer
also wears heavy garlands around the neck and thick lines of sandal paste across
the forehead. Patakam is also performed outside the temples.
Thullal:
It is a modification of the koothu and is characterised by simplicity of presentation,
wit and humour. 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 accompaniment of the maddalam
and elathalam. Thullal is classified into three - Ottanthullal, Seethankam thullal
and Parayanthullal-based on the metre and rhythm of the songs and distinction
in costume and dance.
As most other art forms of Kerala, Thullal also has colourful costumes, with
elaborate headgears and painting of the face. And is usually presented during
temple festivals.
Culture of Kerala
T
heyyam
is one of the most outstanding folk arts of Kerala and has its origin in the
northern parts of the state. Also called Thirayattam, (because every thira or
village performed this ritualistic art at the village temple) this primitive
ritualisic art demands long hours preparation before the performance.
TheTheyyam (a form or shape) represents a mythological, devine or heroic character.
There are over 350 Theyysma in northen Kerala. The hood, headdress , face painting,
Breast plate, bracelets,garlands and fabric of attire of each of these Theyyams
are distinct and meticulously crafted according to the character presented.
Musical accomaniments are chenda and veekuchenda (drums), elathalam and Kuzhal(horn).
This art form is mostly performed in Bhagavathy temples. Performances are on
between october and May. Thira is the main subdivision of Theyyam.
Cherumarkali is a harvest dance in which the dancers, both men and women
move in a swift rhythm, linked in a back lock or holding arms. The costumes
are in striking red and white.
Kaalavela is a spectacular procession of huge, gaudily decorated motifs
of bulls (kaala.)
Kalampattu (kalamezhuthu pattu) is another folk art form that belongs
to the northern regions of Kerala. This art form which is over 600years old
is performed by a group of five to fifteen people in Bhadrakali and Ayyappa
temples. The rituals is performed around the kolam -an elaborate picture, usually
of Bhadrakali, drawn on th
e
floor, using five colours. The performance in the light of temple torches lasts
through the night. The singers are neatly dressed with women wearing their hair
on the side of the head. A series of songs (kalampattu) are sung to the accompaniment
of nanthuni and elathalam.
Kalaripayattu is the comprehensive system of martial arts if Kerala,
regarded as one of the oldest and most scientific in the world. Kalaripayattu
training aims at the ultimate co-ordination of mind and body. The traditional
training in a Kalari includes specialisation in indigenous medical practices
too. Kalaris are also centres of religious worship.
Kaliyoottu is an eight day long colourful folk ritual which re-enacts
the combat between goddess Durga and the demon Darika. The ritual is performed
in different stages. The climax of the play- the ritual called paranettu- is
performed on a specially constructed 100 feet high stage on the eight day.
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