Kerala Arts

Kerala Arts

Kerala, which is 'God's own country', is a land of diverse art forms. The diversity in the arts of any country indicates the rich culture of that country. Kerala had its own distinct art tradition since the time of tribal cultures. Later, many art forms emerged in Kerala with influences from tribal arts and others. If we add together ritual arts, temple arts, social arts, sports and entertainment arts, folk arts, theatrical arts, visual arts, and audio arts, there are hundreds of art forms in Kerala. However, with the passage of time, many of these are disappearing. Arts can be mainly classified into three categories - visual arts, audio arts, and audio-visual arts. Visual arts are examples of fine arts or simple arts. Audio arts and audio-visual arts are examples of performing arts or expressive arts.

Visual and Audio Arts in Kerala

Visual Arts

Kerala is a land with a history of art dating back to prehistoric times. The scientific arts of Kerala emerged and flourished centered around temples. Art forms were essential for the performance of temple rituals, festivals, and ceremonies. Visual arts are arts that delight the mind through vision. Painting, sculpture, handicrafts, and architecture are examples of visual arts.

■ Paintings

Kerala has a rich artistic tradition that ranges from ritualistic paintings like Kalamezhuthu to modern painting styles. Painting can be divided into various categories such as cave paintings, wall paintings (murals), Kalamezhuthu, Kolamezhuthu, Mukhathezhuthu, and Mukhavaranam.

1. Cave Paintings

The oldest drawings in Kerala are found in the Edakkal Caves near Sultan Bathery in Wayanad. The cave paintings in Edakkal are believed to date back to the Neolithic period. Historians believe that these cave paintings date back to 7000 BC. The Edakkal Caves contain stone drawings of humans and animals, as well as ancient Brahmi script. The paintings found here include hair ornaments shaped like leaves, elephants, hunting dogs, horses, bulls, spoked wheels, and wheeled carts. These paintings were discovered in 1901 by a British police officer named Fred Fawcett. Pandavanpara is located in Perumkadavila village in Neyyattinkara taluk of Thiruvananthapuram district. Like the carvings in the Edakkal caves in Wayanad, the petroglyphs at Pandavanpara were made using sharp stone tools. The cave paintings in the Shenthuruni forests of Kollam district are believed to date back to the Mesolithic period. Another place in Kerala where prehistoric paintings are found is the Ezhuthupura Cave, a granite rock located in the Koodakkud Sandalwood Conservation Forest in Marayoor in Idukki district. The Ezhuthupura Cave, which looks like a serpent's den, is known as the 'Cave of Pictures'.

2. Murals

Murals are paintings painted on the walls of temples and palaces using natural dyes. These paintings are made in a unique style using manayola, kolarak, chailyam, amarineelam, kadukka, various types of leaves and mineral sand on a lime-coated surface. The murals feature images of gods and goddesses and narrations of mythological themes. Mural art is known in the West as fresco. The four main elements that can be seen in the murals of Kerala are the primary surface, the secondary surface, the pigments and the binding medium.

Murals of Kerala can be classified chronologically into four periods - the primary phase, the post-primary phase, the medieval phase and the post-medieval phase. The murals in the temples of Thirunanthikarai, Kanthalur, Trivikramangalam and Parthivapuram are believed to have been painted in the primary period. The Ramayana paintings in Mattancherry and the murals in the temples of Vadakkunathan and Thiruvanchikulam in Thrissur are believed to have been painted in the post-primary period. The murals in Triprayar, the Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram and the palaces of Padmanabhapuram and Krishnapuram (Gajendramoksham mural) are believed to have been painted in the medieval period. The murals in the Thirunanthikarai cave temple (Kanyakumari) are believed to be the oldest murals in Kerala's own style.

The paintings in the Padmanabhapuram palace such as Mahavishnu, Pootanamoksham, Bakavadham, Kaliyamardanam and Sriramapattabhishekam are famous. The paintings in Panayanarkavu Temple, Kottakkal Shiva Temple in Malappuram, Ettumanoor Temple, Thalayolaparambu Pundareekapuram Temple in Kottayam district and the paintings in Mattancherry Palace are famous. There are also murals in Christian churches. Christian murals in churches in Kannur, Koratty, Akaparamba in Ernakulam district and Cheppad in Alappuzha district are also famous. There is a mural on the theme of the Last Supper of Christ in Kottayam Church. The mural in Kanjoor Church depicts Tipu's campaign. Training in mural painting is provided in Guruvayur and Aranmula Vastu Vidyagurukulam.

Gajendramoksham Mural

The Gajendramoksham Mural is one of the largest murals in Kerala. The 'Gajendramoksham Mural' is located in the Krishnapuram Palace in Kayamkulam, Alappuzha district. This mural is based on the story of 'Ashtamaskandham' from the Mahabharata. The area of ​​the Gajendramoksham mural is 154 square feet. This painting is painted using turmeric powder, lime, brick powder, Panachakka paste, and aloe vera.

Freedom Wall Mural

The Freedom Wall is a mural at the Government Sanskrit College, Thiruvananthapuram. The Freedom Wall is a large mural art spread over an area of ​​20,000 feet. It was created as part of the Amrita Mahotsav of the Indian freedom struggle. It was declared the largest mural related to the Indian freedom struggle in the India Book of Records.

Painters of Kerala

Raja Ravi Varma is a painter who brought global fame to Kerala painting. Ravi Varma's painting style is a blend of European painting style and Indian painting style. K.C.S. Panicker, the founder of the Chozhamandalam art center, is a famous painter. His series of paintings called Words and Symbols was very well received. A.S. Namboothiri, M.V. Devan and others are his disciples. Kerala Kalagramam in Mahe is an art center founded by M.V. Devan on the model of Chozhamandalam. C.N. Karunakaran, T.K. Padmini and others are painters who have developed their own style in painting.

Cartoon

Cartoon is a line drawing that combines laughter and thought. All the leading dailies in Kerala have cartoon columns. Cartoonists Shankar, P.K. Mantri, writer O.V. Vijayan, filmmakers Aravindan, Abu Abraham, B.M. Gafoor, etc. are nationally famous Keralite cartoonists of the past generation.

3. Kalamezhuthu

Kalamezhuthu is a ritual that has existed since ancient times in some communities in Kerala. Kalamezhuthu, a technique in which natural colored powders are drawn on the floor with fingers, is also known as 'Dhooli Chitram'/'Dhooli Shilpam'. Kalam is painted using green, yellow, red, black, and white colored powders (panchavarna powder) and their mixtures. The deity to whom the Kalam belongs is sung and praised. Five natural substances are used for the colors in the Kalam. White is rice powder, yellow is turmeric, black is coal, red is a mixture of lime and turmeric, and green is powdered leaves. Kalamezhuthu is mainly performed at Bhadrakali temples, Sarppakavukal, and Ayyappan temples. Kalamezhuthu is painted by communities like Kaniyan, Pulluvan, Malayan, Velanmar, and Mannar. Nagakalam is a ritual performed by the Pulluvar community in central Kerala, and is a special ritual associated with snake worship. Kalamezhuthu is the main ceremony of the Ayyappan Theeyattu and Bhadrakali Theeyattu.

4. Kolamezhuthu

Kolamezhuthu is a popular art form among the Tamil Brahmins of Kerala. Every morning, the women of the family draw a 'kolam' using rice powder on the front of the house. The purpose of 'kolam' is to welcome the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

5. Mukhathezhuthu

In ritual art forms, Mukhathezhuthu refers to the application of paint on the faces of artists. Mukhathezhuthu is essential in various art forms of Kerala such as Mudiyettu, Theyyam, Thira, Thullal, Kaliyoottu, Kathakali, Krishnanattam, Koodiyattam, and Koothu. Mukhathezhuthu is based on the appearance of the deity being presented. The traditional face painting methods are Pullitezhuthu, Shankhitezhuthu, Hanuman, Kannittezhuthu, Mankannittezhuthu, Anchupulliyittezhuthu etc.

6. Mukhavaranam

Mukhavaranam or facial masks are another form of folk painting. These masks are made by painting the spathe of the arecanut tree using different coloured powders. Folk painting styles are evident also in the dolls made for Tholppavakoothu. Face Paintings used for Padayani are another form of folk painting.

■ Sculpture

Sculptures are made of stone, wood, metal, and clay, either cast or carved. M.V. Devan and Kanayi Kunhiraman are prominent sculptors of Kerala. M.V. Devan designed the Kanhangad P. Memorial Hall and built the full-body sculpture 'Ammayum Kunjum' in Nehru Park, Kollam. Yakshi (Malampuzha dam), Shankh (Veli), Jalakanyaka (Shankhummugam), and Ammayum Kunjum (Payyambalam) are some of Kanayi Kunhiraman's famous sculptures.

■ Handicrafts

Handicrafts are the art of designing and making things with hands. These are mostly cottage industries. Handicrafts from small pottery to carpets, are made in the cottage industries. The use of machines is very limited. These are mostly handmade products.

■ Architecture

Two types of architectural styles were used in Kerala for temple construction. Dravidian style and Kerala style. The main features of Kerala style are the sanctum and the importance of woodwork. Some temples built in Kerala style include Koothambalam and Garuda Mandapam.

There are three phases in the development of temple construction in Kerala.

(1) The first phase is between the ninth and eleventh centuries. The foundations of the temples during this period were built in a circular or rectangular shape.

(2) In the second phase between the eleventh and fourteenth centuries, a combination of Dravidian and Kerala styles prevailed. The practice of building a shrine inside a temple began during this period.

(3) The third phase of temple construction in Kerala occurred between the fourteenth and nineteenth centuries. During this phase, temple construction became very complex. Attractive decorative works became the main feature of the temples.

Major temples built in the Kerala style are Koodalmanikyam Temple in Irinjalakuda, Mahadeva Temple in Peruvanam, Vadakkumnathan Temple, Sree Rama Temple in Triprayar, Sree Krishna Temple in Guruvayur and Thiruvangad Temple in Thalassery.

Audio Arts

■ Music in Kerala

The music that creates a sense of calm in the human mind just by listening to it is pleasing to the ear and mind alike. Music is one of the important art forms that can soften the human mind. The musical tradition of Kerala is centuries old. It includes songs from ritual arts, folk art forms, and entertainments like boat racing, tribal songs and folk songs. Many of these are not scientifically practiced or precisely structured. These are song forms with a loose structure that can be changed according to the singer's wishes and the occasion. Sopana music is a unique musical form of Kerala, which is structured based on rhythm. The best example of Sopana music is Kathakali music. Kerala has made great contributions to the two main streams of Indian classical music, Carnatic music and Hindustani music. Kerala music has a tradition that extends from Swathi Thirunal, Iraimmman Thampi, Kuttikunju Thankachi, K.C. Kesava Pillai, etc. to contemporary artists. The musical arts of Kerala include Marga music, Desi music, Sopana music, Carnatic music, folk songs, Kathaprasangam, and contemporary light music.

1. Marga Music

Marga music was the first branch of music to emerge. It was used for Vedic chants and sacrifices. It was mainly used in religious rituals and temples. It is a classical tradition based on specific rules and principles.

2. Desi Music

Desi music is a tradition that has evolved from regional musical styles and is flexible in its arrangements. It is also known as village music and rural music. The two main branches that have emerged from these different styles are Carnatic music and Hindustani music.

3. Sopana Sangeetham

Sopana Sangeetham is a unique musical style of Kerala, known as a continuation of Dravidian music. The founder of Sopana music is Njeralathu Ramapothuval (autobiography - Sopanam). Janahita Sopanam, the popular expression of Sopana Sangeetham, was invented by Njeralathu Ramapothuval. Sopana Sangeetham is based on raga. The ragas used for Sopana Sangeetham are Indisha, Desakshi, Indalam, Padi, Bhupalam, Puraneer, and Kamodari. The rhythms are Ekam, Champa, Chempada, Atanta, Muriyadanta, and Tripuda. Sopana Sangeetham originated in Kerala temples. The instrument used in Sopana music is the edakka. There are two types of Sopana Sangeetham, Kottipadi Seva and Ranga Sopanam. Sopanam is the step in front of the sanctum sanctorum in the temple. 'Kottipadi Seva' is the singing of marar by striking the edakka from the temple's sopana during the puja. Arangu Sangeetam is an important branch of Sopana Sangeetham. It can also be called acting music. In the arangu, the singer sings, the instrumentalist plays and the actor plays the roles of various characters accordingly. This is stage music. Examples - Kathakali, Koodiyattam, Krishnanattam, Mudiyettu, Arjuna Nritham. Sopana Sangeetham is used in Kathakali. The reason why sopana Sangeetham is called 'time music' is because ragas are used according to the rules of the song. Puthussery Raghava Kurup (who gave a systematic form to sopana music), Njeralathu Harigovindan, and Ambalappuzha Vijayakumar are the main Sopana Sangeetham artists.

4. Carnatic Music

Carnatic music is the music of South India. It began during the time of Purandaradasan, who lived in the 16th century. Carnatic music originated in the paths where devotion and music flowed together. For teachers like Purandaradasan, devotion, music and life were one and the same. Their worship of the nadopasana, forgetting everything, led to the growth of Carnatic music. Like a South Indian river, it flowed through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and reached Kerala. It was during the time of Swathi Thirunal, the Maharaja of Travancore, that modern South Indian music, known as Carnatic music, began to spread in Kerala. Carnatic music brought to Kerala not only the sweetness of music. It gave us history , culture , a sense of beauty and many other things. Iraimman Thampi, Shadkaala Govinda Marar and Paramasivam Bhagavathar were the main musicians in Swathi Thirunal's audience. Some of the prominent contributors to Carnatic music include Chembai Vaidyanath Bhagavathar, K.C. Kesava Pillai, T.V. Gopala Krishnan, Dr. Omanakutty, Mavelikkara Prabhakara Varma, Kuttikunju Thankachi, Attur Krishna Pisharody, Parassala B. Ponnammal, and Neyyattinkara Vasudevan.

5. Folk Songs

Like written literature, there is also unwritten literature. Such literature is passed through generations orally. Folk songs and proverbs fall under this category. Folk songs are oral songs that tell the story of each region of Kerala. These are songs that reveal different local lifestyles and celebrations. Locally made instruments are generally used for folk songs. Folk songs are one of the most popular genres of music. There are hundreds of folk songs in Malayalam. Some of them are related to rituals. Ritual folk songs go like this: Kalyanapattu, Thuyilunarthupattu, Sarppapattu, Kaikottikkalipattu. There are also folk songs that tell beautiful stories. Our folk songs are divided into two, southern songs and northern songs. Northern songs and southern songs are usually sung by singers belonging to the Panar caste. Northern songs tell the stories of heroes who are warriors. The stories in the northern songs, which are full of war, adventure, deceit and rebellion, are interesting. The influence of Tamil can be clearly seen in the southern songs. A famous southern song is 'Iravikuttipillapor'. People belonging to different castes had their own songs. Velan pattu, Chattu pattu, Mappilapattu are examples. Not everyone has access to written literature. But folk songs were for everyone. Both commoners and farmers sang folk songs. There are unique folk songs to pray to God and worship nature. Folk songs are generally divided into refined and unsophisticated according to the musical composition. Unsophisticated folk songs include Njattu pattu, Vedanpattu, Thanattam, Vattippattu, Adithalipattu, Kanipattu, etc.

6. Kathaprasangam

Kathaprasangam is an art form that began in the early 20th century to educate the people of the society. The Kathaprasangam consists of a storyteller and a small supporting cast. The storyteller is called a Kathikan. The Kathikan presents the story in a very dramatic manner, accompanied by songs.

7. Contemporary Light Music

Light music is the most popular art form in Malayalam. Examples include film songs and drama songs. Poems are transformed into songs by giving them a different melody and rhythm. Institutions like All India Radio and Doordarshan played a major role in bringing this art form to the masses.

Instruments

■ Important Musical Instruments

Vadyam means musical instrument. Drums are the oldest musical instrument. Bharata Muni, who wrote 'Natyasastra', divided musical instruments into four main categories - stringed instruments, avanaddha instruments, sushira instruments, and ghana instruments. This division is based on the material from which the musical instruments are made and how they produce music.

1. Stringed instruments

Stringed instruments or tatavadyas are musical instruments that use strings to produce sound. These are instruments that work by using the vibration of strings. Veena and tambura are examples of stringed instruments.

2. Percussion instruments

The Sanskrit word 'avanaddha' means covered, wrapped. Avanaddha instruments are made by tying leather tightly around the open part of a hollow object. Therefore, they are also called leather instruments or skin instruments. Mizhavu, Takil, Chenda, Maddalam, Udukku, Thimila, Mridangam, Duff, and Idakka are examples of  Avanaddha instruments.

3. Wind instruments

Wind instruments are instruments that produce sound when air passes through holes. They are played using exhaled air. Wind instruments are also called pipe instruments. Conch, flute, and nadaswaram are examples of percussive instruments.

4. Ghana instruments

Ghana instruments are made of clay, wood, metals, etc. Most Ghana instruments are used mainly for rhythm. In Carnatic music, they are considered as sub-percussion instruments. Chengila, Ilathalam, Kol, Onavillu etc. are Ghana instruments of Kerala.

■ Pathinettu Vadyangal

The musical instruments known as the Pathinettu Vadyangal are - Chenda, Mridangam, Mizhavu, Maddalam, Perumbara, Idakka, Kuzhal, Kadunthudi, Ilathalam, Kuzhithalam, Udukku, Thamper, Veekan Chenda, Thimila, Changidi Kuzhal, Killari, Angyam and an instrument played from a high position.

■ Panchavadyam

Panchavadyam is a musical ensemble made up of five different types of instruments. Like the symphony of the West. Kriyanga and Sevanga are two variants of Panchavadyam. Kriyanga Panchavadyam is associated with rituals and pujas in temples. The instruments used in Kriyanga Panchavadyam are Thimila, Chengila, Shankh, Veekan Chenda and Kaimani. Sevanga Panchavadyam is used during festivals and processions. Sevanga Panchavadyam is known as the normal Panchavadyam. The normal Panchavadyam is made up of five instruments namely Thimila, Maddalam, Idakka, Shankh and Chengila. Instruments like horn and flute are also used. Sometimes, instead of Chengila, Ilathalam is also used. The Shankh is used at the beginning and at the intervals of the Panchavadyam. The most notable thing is that Chenda is not included in this. The Panchavadyam, an ensemble of musical instruments, features percussion and wind instruments.

The ilathalam is the heaviest instrument in the panchavadyam. The thimila, maddalam and edakka are the Avanaddha vadyams, while the kombu and conch are the sushira vadyams. The panchavadyam begins with the blowing of the conch. The number of participants in the panchavadyam is not always the same. If there are ten maddalams, twenty-one timilas are required. In addition, the same number of kombu is required as the timilas. A small panchavadyam requires at least three timilas, one maddalam, one edakka, two ilathalams, two kombu and one conch. In the past, the thoppi maddalam, chengila and kurumkuzhal were used in the panchavadyam. But now they are not used. The suddha maddalam is used instead of the thoppi maddalam, the ilathalam is used instead of the chengila, and the kombu is used instead of the kurumkuzhal. These reforms were made by Venkichan Swamy of Thiruvilwamala.

■ Melam

The 'Melam' is made up of a combination of Chenda, Ilathalam, Kombu and Kuzhal. Melam simply means a gathering. Pandi, Panchari, Dhruvam, Atanta, Anchadanta, Chemba, Chempada and Tripuda are the main melams. Of these, Panchari Melam and Pandi Melam are the most famous. The instruments of Panchari Melam are Chenda, Kurunguzhal, Ilathalam and Kombu. Pandi Melam is a similar instrument to Panchari Melam. The instruments of Pandi Melam are Chenda, Kurunguzhal, Ilathalam and Kombu. In this, Chenda is played using sticks in both hands. Panchari Melam is usually performed inside the temple walls and Pandi Melam is performed outside. Apart from these, there are other melams such as Sinkari Melam. Thayambaka is one of the oldest and most special musical instruments of Kerala. The performance of one person in Thayambaka is important. The other artists accompanying them only keep the rhythm. The instruments in the Thayambaka are the Chenda and the Ilathala. The Chenda is the main instrument in this. The Ilathala is used to add richness and rhythm to the melam.

Audio - Visual Arts

Temple and Classical 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. On the Other hand, Classical arts must have a system, a routine, and a consistent style of presentation. Classical arts are art forms that require good discipline and practice. Kathakali, Koothu, Koodiyattam, Krishnanattam, Thullal, Mohiniyattam, and Kerala Natanam are the main classical arts of Kerala.

■ Kathakali

Kathakali, one of the best classical forms of India, has earned Kerala world fame. The original form of Kathakali is Krishnanattam, which emerged in the 16th century under the encouragement of the Zamorin of Kozhikode. It evolved into Kathakali from Ramanattam, created by the Kottarakkara Thampuran in the 17th century.

■ Ramanattom

Ramanattam, created by Kottarakkara Thampuran in the 17th century, evolved into Kathakali. Ramanattam, which tells the story of Rama, was performed on stage for eight days. This art form was presented in Manipravala language, a mixture of Malayalam and Sanskrit. Ramanattam has similarities to Koodiyattam, Koothu and Ashtapadiyattam.

■ Krishnanattam

Krishnanattam was created by King Manavadeva of Kozhikode. Krishnanattam is based on the work of King Manavadeva called Krishnageethi. The main instruments are maddalam, chengila, and ilathalam. Krishnanattam is a dance form that completely embodies the story of Lord Krishna. Krishnanattam is mainly performed in the Guruvayur temple.

■ Koodiyattam

Koodiyattam is a theatrical performance of the people of Kerala. This art form is about two thousand years old. It is believed that Koodiyattam was organized by Kulasekaravarman, who ruled Kerala in the 10th century AD, and the great poet Tholan, who was a member of his poetic circle. UNESCO has described Koodiyattam as a great traditional art of humanity. Training in Koodiyattam is provided at Kalamandalam and Margi.

■ Koothu

Koothu is an art form performed in temples as a separate part of Koodiyattam. Koothu is performed in Koothambalam. The female roles in Koodiyattam are played by women from the Chakyar community (Nangiyar). Koothu is an art form that follows a one-act style. The musical instrument used in both Koothu and Koodiyattam is the mizhavu.

■ Ashtapathiyattom

Ashtapadiyattam is an art form developed by the Chakyans based on the work 'Geetha Govindam' written by Jayadeva. This is an art form that is not very popular in Kerala temple arts and does not exist today. Keralites call 'Geetha Govindam'. ​​This name comes from the fact that each Geeta has eight verses. Ashtapadi is sung in many temples of Kerala, especially in Vishnu temples.

■ Thullal

Thullal was composed by Kunchan Nambiar, who was born in Killikurussi Mangalam, Palakkad district, during his time as a vassal of the King of Ambalapuzha. Thullal, which is simple and meaningful, has three variants. Parayan is performed in the morning, Shitangan in the afternoon and Ottan in the evening. The Ottan Thullal is the most popular.

■ Mohiniyattam

Mohiniyattam is a dance form native to Kerala. It is related to Bharatanatyam, a Devadasi dance form of Tamil Nadu. Mohiniyattam was also performed by Devadasis who were appointed to dance in temples. Hence, it was also known as Dasiyattam in the early days.

■ Kerala Natanam

Kerala Natanam is an art form created by Gurugopinath by combining the acting techniques of Kathakali with the dance techniques of Kerala folk dances and Bharatanatyam.

Performing Arts

■ Theyyam

■ Padayani

■ Yakshaganam

■ Thiruvathirakkali

■ Mudiyettu

■ Kummatti

■ Vattappattu

■ Gadhikamadal

■ Thirayattam

■ Theeyattam

■ Kaaliyoottu

■ Arjuna Nritham

■ Ammanattom

■ Ayyappan Vilakku

■ Gandharvan Pattu

■ Velakali

■ Paakkanaarkali

■ Mayilattom

■ Poorakkali

■ Marathakali

■ Poothanum Thirayum

■ Mudiyattam

■ Ninabali

■ Kaalakali

■ Kuthiyottam

■ Kanneru Pattu

■ Sarpam Thullal

■ Ona Thullal

■ Tholppavakkoothu

■ Kavadiyattam

■ Sarpam Pattu

■ Thidambu Nrittam

■ Kalamezhuthu

■ Kothammuriyattam

■ Kakkarissi Natakam

■ Porattu Nadakam

■ Paniyarkali

■ Vadithallu

■ Mangalamkali

■ Meenakshikalyanam

■ Villadichaan Paattu

■ Pavakathakali

■ Paniyarkali

■ Karuneeliyattam

■ Porattu Nadakam

■ Kanniyarkali

■ Tholppavakoothu

■ Ninabali

Other Performing Arts

■ Aadivedankali

■ Aivarkali

■ Bhadrakaali Thullal

■ Chaathankali

■ Chakiaarkoothu

■ Charadupinnikkali

■ Chavittukali

■ Chozhikali

■ Edaya Nritham

■ Elakkaradi   

■ Garudan Thookkam

■ Kaadar Nritham

■ Kaanikkar Nritham

■ Kadhaprasangam

■ Kaikottikkali

■ Kalaripayattu

■ Koorankali

■ Kambadikali

■ Kannyarkali

■ Karadiyattam

■ Kolam Thullal

■ Koorankali

■ Kurathiyattom

■ Kuravarkali

■ Kurumarkali

■ Kurumbar Nritham

■ Malayikuthu

■ Mankali

■ Mukkanchathan

■ Muttum Viliyum

■ Nadodi Nrittham

■ Naaga Chuttu

■ Naikarkali

■ Nangiarkoothu

■ Nokkuvidya Pavakali

■ Ochirakali

■ Onapottan

■ Othiyattam

■ Ottamthullal

■ Paanakali

■ Pallukali

■ Panchavadyam

■ Pathichikali

■ Pavakoothu

■ Pettathullal

■ Poothamkali

■ Poovirukkam

■ PuliKali

■ Pulluvan Paattu

■ Shastham Paatu

■ Sopanasangeetham

■ Thaalamkali

■ Thacholikali

■ Theyyannam

■ Thiriyuzhichil

■ Thumbithullal

■ Vadyakala

■ Vedan Thullal

■ Urali Thullal

■ Uriyadi

Muslim Art Forms

■ Mappila Paattu

■ Duffmuttu

■ Arabana muttu

■ Oppana

■ Kolkkali

Christian Art Forms

■ Margamkali

■ Chavittunadakam

■ Parichamuttukali

■ Slama Carol