Art Forms of Kerala

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 has had its own distinct art tradition since the time of tribal cultures. Later, many art forms emerged in Kerala with the influence of tribal arts and others. If we add together the ritual arts, temple arts, social arts, sports and entertainment arts, folk-folk arts, theatrical arts, visual arts and audio arts, there are hundreds of art forms in Kerala. However, many of these are disappearing with the passage of time.

Temple Arts

The main temple arts of Kerala are Koothu, Koodiyattam, Kathakali, Ramanattam, Krishnanatam, Thullal, Ashtapadiyattam etc. These art forms got the name temple arts because they grew up in connection with temples. Temple arts were previously performed in specially prepared theatres in temples.

Ritual Arts

Ritual arts are formed according to local and communal rituals and customs. There are many ritual arts in Kerala, including Thira, Theyyam, Mudiyattu, Padayani, Thiyattu, Kaliyoottu, Arjunanritham, Ammanattam, Ayyappanvilakku, Terukoothu, Gandharvan Pattu, Kuruthiyattam, Pakkanar Kali, Kummatti, Mariamman Thullal, Kalamzhuthipattu, Kanalattam, Mayilattam, Poorakalli, Maruthukali, Thirayattam, Pana, Dawaim Thullal, Mudiyattam (Mudiyattam is known as Neeliyattam in North Kerala), Ninabali, Kalankali, Kuthiyottam, Kannerupattu, Sarpam Thullal, etc.

Performing Arts

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

Visual Arts

Painting, Dance, Architecture, Kalamezhuthu

Audience Arts

Music, Storytelling

Sports and Entertainment Arts

Kakarissi Drama (entertainment rural drama of Thiruvananthapuram district), Vadithallu, Parichamuttukali, Mangalamkali (North Malabar),

Native and Folk Arts

Yakshaganam, Aryamalanadakam, Kanyarkali (Golden Elephant Play), Porattu Natakam, Meenakshi Kalyanam, Tholpavakuthu, Villatchichan Pattu, Gaddika (art form among the tribal communities of Wayanad), Karuniliyattam, Paniyarkali, Pava Kathakali, Meenakshi Kalyanam, Onam Thallu, Kothammooriyattam, Kummi, Kummatti, Kuthirakali, Karadikali, Poorakali, Pulikali, Thalamkali, Kavadiyattam, Kaikottikali, Kolkali, Kolattam, Kolamthullal, Aadivedan, Chimmanakali, Theyyam, Poorakali, Chavittunatakam, Margamkali, Oppana, Ayyappan Theiyattu, Mudiyette, Arjuna Dance, Padayani, Thira, Bhadrakali Theiyattu, Alammala Drama, Kettukazhcha, Panakali, Garudanthukkam

Social Arts

Margamkali, Oppana, Chavittunatakam, Arabanamuttu

Martial Arts

The martial art form of Kerala is Kalaripayattu. The various forms of Kalaripayattu are Maypayattu, Vadipayattu, and Bare Hand Prayogam. Kalaripayattu is known as the 'mother of martial arts'. Poozhikadakan is the last (eighteenth) form of Kalaripayattu.