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The ritual dance forms of Kerala involves performances that glorify the gods and goddesses and include themes that revolve around the triumph of the goddess over the demon Daruka and other evil characters. Only men perform these ritualistic dances. The various ritual dance forms of Kerala are:
Theyyam
Popular in north Kerala, Theyyam incorporates dance, mime and music and preserves the rudiments of ancient tribal cultures; attaching great importance to the worship of heroes and the spirits of ancestors. The headgear and other ornamental decorations are spectacular in sheer size and appearance. This particular dance form is also known as Kaaliyattam.
Patayani
The ritual dance form of Patayani is a week-long ritualistic dance that is performed in Kaali temples on the banks of the Pamba River during the Malayalam months of Meenam and Medam (March - April). The central theme behind the dance performances is slaying of the demon Daarikan by the goddess Kaali. The main percussion instrument that accompanies the Patyani ritual dance form is Thappu .
Poothanumthirayum
This is also a ritual dance performed in the honor of Goddess Kali where dancers dress up as Kaali (the Thira ) and the accompanying spirits (the Poothams ) who were created along with the goddess for the destruction of the evil demon, Daarikan. The dance is performed from house to house and on the premises of village shrines between November and May every year.
Mudiyettu
This ritual dance form is performed in some Kaali temples of Ernakulam and Kottayam districts (central Kerala) to celebrate the goddess's triumph over the demon Daarikan . The performers of Mudiyettu are all heavily made up and wear gorgeous attire with conventional facial paintings, tall headgears etc, to give a touch of the supernatural.
Koothu
Koothu is a solo narrative performance interspersed with mime and comic interludes. Performed in the Koothuthara of Kerala temples, the dancers portray scenes from the epics of Ramayana and The Mahabharatha . Koothu is intermittently accompanied by the percussion instrument Mizhavu .
Arjuna Nritham
Prevalent in the Bhagavathy temples of Kerala, this is the dance of the Arjuna- who was a renowned singer and dancer and is said to have propitiated goddess Bhadrakaali by a devotional presentation. Arjuna nritham is also called Mayilppeeli nritham as the costume includes a characteristic garment made of mayilppeeli (peacock feathers). The performers have their faces painted green and wear distinctive headgears. The all night performance of the dance form is usually presented solo or in pairs.
Kannyarkali
This ritual dance form is exclusively performed Nair community of the Palakkad area in Kerala. This ritual form combines dance and comedy with martial training sessions. The art form combines the agile movements of martial arts with the rhythmic grace of folk dance performed around a nilavilakku . Performed during March-April in temples as well as in places called the ' Thara ', a venue for informal gatherings, this art form is accompanied by devotional folk songs and the loud beat of percussion instruments.
Velakali
A martial arts dance performance, Kalamezhuthu is done in the temples of southern Kerala. The dance form is a regular feature of the annual festivities at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna temple in Alappuzha district. Here the dancers wear the traditional clothes and colorful headgear and engage in vigorous movements and dexterous sword play.
Kalamezhuthu
Kalamezhuthu pattu is performed as part of the rituals to worship and propitiate gods like Kaali, Ayyappan or Vettakkorumakan. The dance performance includes a unique drawing called dhulee chithram or powder drawing.
Margomkali
A ritual folk art of the Syrian Christians of Kottayam and Thrissurof Kerala, Margomkali involves dozen dancers singing and dancing around a lighted wick lamp ( Nilavilakku ), clad in the simple traditional white dhoti and sporting a peacock feather on the turban to add a touch of color. Today, Margomkali is only performed as a stage item by women.
Theeyattu
Theeyattu is a solo dance-drama performed in front of the Kalam or Dhooli Chitram (ritual drawing with coloured powders) in some of the Bhagavathy temples of Thiruvalla, Kottayam, Thripunithura and neighbouring areas. The most popular story narrated through a Theeyattu performance is that of the duel between goddess Kaali and the demon Daarikan
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