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The various performing arts of Kerala are described below:
Kathakali
The most renowned dance drama of Kerala- Kathakali involves rendering all emotions and nuances through facial expressions and hand gestures. This 300 year-old dance form involves facets of ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime.
Mohinattam
Meaning the dance of the celestial enchantress, this dance is performed by women only and involves slow, graceful, swaying movements of the body and limbs and highly emotive eye and hand gestures are unique to Mohinattam. Mohiniyattam is usually performed as a solo dance and is very lyrical in its rendering.
Thullal
Thullal is a classical solo dance form, of Kerela, which comes closer to contemporary life, and is marked for its simplicity, wit and humor . There are three related forms of Thullal - Ottanthullal , Seethankanthullal and Parayanthullal - of which the first is the most popular. The three are distinguished by the costumes worn and the metre of the verses.
Koodiyattam
Traditionally enacted in temples, Kootiyattam literally means 'acting together'and involves two or more characters onstage at the same time, with the Chakkiars providing the male cast and the Nangiars playing the female roles who beat the cymbals and play the Mizhavu, a large copper drum respectively. Themes for the Kootiyattam performance are based on mythology.
Thiruvathirakali
Thiruvathirakali is performed by women in Kerala in order to attain everlasting marital bliss, on Thiruvathira day in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December- January). The dance follows a circular, pirouetting pattern accompanied by clapping of the hands and singing.
Oppana
Oppana is performed by Malabar Muslims during wedding festivities where maidens and young female relatives who sing and dance around the bride. Today, it often presented as a stage item.
Kolkkali
Kolkkali is basically performed by farmers, who dance rhythmically, all the while wielding short sticks. The movement is circular and the artists sing as they dance and strike the sticks in unison
Duffmuttu
Duffmuttu, also known as Aravanamuttu is a popular dance form amongst the Muslims living along the Malabar Coast. During the performance, the artistes beat on a quaint round percussion instrument called the Duffu, the leader of the group sings the lead, while the others form the chorus and move in circles.
Krishnanattom
The traditional dance of Krishnanattom lasts for eight days and covers the whole span of Krishna's life from his birth to 'Swargarohanam' or ascension to the heavens. The dance performance is particularly enthralling as the dancers wear varied and colorful facial make-up with larger-than-life-masks, made of light wood and cloth padding, for certain characters
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