The best of Kerala dances can be witnessed during the grand carnival of Onam. It is simply enthralling to note how rich is the folk culture of the state of Kerala. A display of so many unique and well perfected dances on a single platform pulls a number of dance lovers from all over the world to Kerala on Onam.
Some of the famous Traditional dances are
Kumatti kali
Also popularly known as the “Mask dance”, artists clad a specially crafted mask made of saprophyte, jack fruit tree, Alstonia Scholaris, Hog Plum treeor the Coral tree. These artists then move to different houses and receive gifts from them. The main attraction being the masks represent Krishna, Narada, Kiratha, Darika or hunters faces. Onavillu is the instrument that is used to play music for this act. People take great interest and are amused with the uniqueness this dance form offers every time.
Thumbi Thullal
While the men in Kerela engage themselves in energetic sports, women on the other hand, participate in Thumbi Thullal.They clad themselves up in the best sarees, jewellary and appearance. The dance form in performed in groups and formations of circle, wherein the lead singer initiates a couplet every time that is followed by the rest.
Kaikotti kali
Also popularly termed as Thiruvathirakali, this dance is a very elegant and a form full of poise and grace. Basically a group women dance, sometimes men also participate in it. The dance is dominantly performed in a circular formation. In this dance young girls and kids also participate. Hussaini, Bhairavi and Kamboji is the popular Ragas Played in this dance.
Kathakali
Literally it means a dance form with encapsulation of drama and stories into it. It is often termed as “A complete thetre”. Sahithyam (literature), Sangeetham (music), Chithram (painting), Natyam (acting) and Nritham (dance), constitute the 5 basic elements of kathakali. The dance forms are predominantly the use of gestures and poses to express different expressions.
Pulikali
The main theme of this dance form is “tiger hunting”, and that’s the area covered by dancers. To depict this theme well artists clad themselves with yellow paints and strips of red and black. This appearance takes lot of time and artists put the entire night in Make-up.
