Kerala has a rich tradition in art and dance forms, like any land, Kerala also have its own typical art forms. Which reflect the life and out look of the people-from the renowned kathaklai ,considered to be the complete art form as its synthesizes all that is best in the field of drama, music and dance ,to the folk dance which are reflections of the rhythmic impulses.

Performing Arts

Kathakali

Kerala owes its transnational fame to this nearly 300 years old classical dance form that combines facets of ballet, opera, masque, and the pantomime. This is a visually powerful art form. The dance drama, which has a unique costume and make-up, depicts stories from the two great Indian epics-the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha.

Chavittunadakam

A Christian art form of Kerala, evolved at the turn of the 16th centaury AD, during the Portuguese colonization and bears definite traces of the European Christian Miracle Play opera and ballet.

Oppana

A dance from essential to the wedding entertainment and festivities of the Malabar Muslim. Maidens and young female relatives sing and dance around the bride, clapping their hands.

Mohiniyattam

The dance of the enchantress, Mohiniyattam is a distinctive classical dance from of Kerala.

Kolkkali

A folk art mainly of the agrarian classes Kolkali is a highly rhythmic and the performance never miss a beat. In Malabar Kolkali is more popular among Muslim men.

Thullal

Thullal is a solo performance combining the dance and recitation of stories in verse. Staged during temple festivals, the performer explicated the verses through expensive gesture,

Koodiyattom

Koodiyattom literally means “acting together” This is the earliest classical dramatic art form of Kerala. Based on Sage Bharatha’s ‘Natyasasthra’ who lived in the second century ,Koodiyattom envolved in the 9th century AD.The UNESCO recently declared koodiyattom as one among the Masterpiece of the Oral and intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Thiruvathirakali

Thiruvathirakali is a dance performed by women in order to attain everlasting marital bliss on Thiruvarhira day in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December-January)

Duffmuttu

Duffmuttu is also known as Aravanamuttu. It is a group performance popular among the Muslims of Malabar. Duffmuttu is staged as a social event duringfestivals and nuptial ceremonies.

Theyyam

Theyyam is also known as Koliyattam,is a ritual dance popular in north Kerala or erstwhile Kolathukadu. Theyyam incorporate dance , mime and music and enshrines the rudiments of ancient tribal culture ,which attached great importance to the worship of heroes and the spirits of ancestors. Of the over 400 Theyyams performed the most spectacular once are those of Raktha Chamundi,Kari Chamundi,Muchilottu Bhagavathi,, Waynadu Kulavan and Pottan.Person belonging to the Vannan ,Malayan and other related caste perform these dances in front of shrines, sans, stages or curtains

Margomkali

Margomkali is a ritual folk art of the Syrian Christian of Kottaym and Thrissur districts. A dozen dancers sing and dance around a alighted wick lamp (Nilavilakku),clad in the simple traditional white dhoti and sporting a peacock feather on the turban to add a touch of colour.

Marital arts

The marital art form of Kerala –Kalaripayattu –is believed to be the mother of all marital art forms in the world and for that matter, the most scientific one .It consist of a series of intricate movements that train the body and mind.