Visual and Audio Art Forms of Kerala

Audiovisual arts are a combination of visual and auditory arts. Visual arts are arts that simultaneously create a sensation for the eyes and ears. Dances, plays, and films are examples of audiovisual arts.

Temple arts 

The main temple arts of Kerala are Koothu, Koodiyattam, Kathakali, Ramanattam, Krishnanatam, Thullal, Ashtapadiyattam etc. These art forms have been named temple arts because they have developed in connection with temples. Earlier, temple arts were performed in specially prepared theatres in temples.

Ritual arts

The ritual arts are formed according to local and communal customs and traditions. There are many ritual arts in Kerala such as Thira, Theyyam, Mudiyettu, Padayani, Theeyattam, Kaliyoottu, Arjuna Nritham, Ammanattom, Ayyappan Vilakku, Therukoothu, Gandharvan Pattu, Kurathiyattom, Paakkanaarkali, Kummatti, Mariamman Thullal, Kalamezhuthupattu, Kanalattam, Mayilattam, Poorakkali, Marathukali, Thirayattam, Pana, Daivam Thullal, Mudiyattam (in North Kerala Mudiyattam is known as Neeliyattam), Ninabali, Kalankali, Kuthiyottam, Kannerupattu, Sarppam Thullal, etc. 

Performing arts

Koodiyattam, Pathakam, Kathakali, Thullal, Ashtapadiyattam, Koothu, Ramanattam, Krishnanattam, Mohiniyattam

Visual arts

Painting, dance, architecture, calligraphy

Audiovisual arts

Music, storytelling

Sports and entertainment

Kakkarissi drama, Vadithallu, Parichamuttukali, Mangalamkali, Paniyarkali

Folk-folk arts

Yakshaganam, Aryamalanadakam, Kannyarkali, Meenakshi Kalyanam, Tholppavakoothu, Villadichaan Paattu, Gadhika, Karuneeliyattam, Paniyarkali, Pavakathakali, Onam Thallu, Kummi, Kuthirakali, Karadikali, Pulikali, Thalamkali, Kaikottikkali, Kolkali, Kolattam, Kolamthullal, Aadivedankali, Chimmanakkali, Theyyam, Oppana, Mudiyettu, Padayani, Alammala Drama, Kettukazhcha, Panakali, Garudan Thookkam

Social arts

Margamkali, Oppana, Chavittunadakam, Arabana muttu

Martial arts 

Kalaripayattu is a martial art form of Kerala. The various forms of Kalaripayattu are Meypayattu, Vadipayattu, and Verumkai Prayogam. Kalaripayattu is known as the 'mother of martial arts'. Puzhikkadakan is the last (eighteenth) move of Kalaripayattu.