It's an intricate network of innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and
the deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. Over 900 km
of this labyrinthine waterworld is navigable. The largest backwater stretch
in Kerala is the Vembanad lake which flows through three districts and opens
out into the sea at the Kochi port.
About Kerala
With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m in the
east and networked by forty four rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features
that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia.
An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene beaches. Tranquil streches
of emerald backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. Waterfalls. Sprawling
plantations and paddy fields. Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting art forms.
Magical festivals. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine... All
of which offer you a unique experience. And what's more, every one of these
charming destinations is only a two hour drive from the other. A singular advantage
no other destination offers.
Kerala, India's most advanced society : A hundred percent literate people.
World-class health care systems. India's lowest infant mortality and highest
life expectancy rates. The highest physical quality of life in India. Peaceful
and pristine, Kerala is also India's cleanest State.
For administrative purpose, the state of Kerala is divided into fourteen
districts. Most of these districts offer all the tourism products typical
of the State.
Kathakali (literally, story play) :
Kerala owes its transnational fame to this nearly 300 years old classical dance
form which combines facets of ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime. It is
said to have evolved from other performing arts like Kootiyattam, Krishnanattam
and Kalarippayattu. Kathakali explicates ideas and stories from the Indian epics
and Puranas.
Presented in the temple precincts after dusk falls Kathakali is heralded
by the Kelikottu or the beating of drums in accompaniment of the Chengila
(gong). The riches of a happy blending of colour, expressions, music, drama
and dance is unparallelled in any other art form.
Chakyarkoothu :
Also called Koothu, is one of the oldest classical theatre arts of Kerala.
The solo dance is usually presented in the Koothambalam of temples to the
accompaniment of the mizhavu and elathalam. The performance begins with an
invocation to the presiding deity of the temple. The narration is enlivened
with the thandava dance movements, gestures and facial expressions according
to the guidelines in Natya Sastra. Koothu is distinct for its comic element
which adds to its dramatic character. Themes are usually from the epics. The
costume is colourful and bizarre with a strange headgear.
Koodiyattam (literally, dancing together)
:
Kootiyattam 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, Kootiyattam evolved in the 9th century AD.
Kootiyattam is enacted inside the temple theatre, there are two or more characters
onstage at the same time, with the Chakkiars providing the male cast and the
Nangiars playing the female roles. The Nangiars beat the cymbals and recite
verses in Sanskrit, while in the background Nambiars play the Mizhavu, a large
copper drum.
Vidushaka or the wise man, a figure parallel to the Fool in Shakespearean
plays, enacts his role with the liberty to criticise anyone without fear.
The costume of the jester sets him apart from the rest. The Kootiyattam performance
lasts for several days ranging from 6 to 20 days. Themes are based on mythology.
The Koodal Manickyam temple at Irinjalakkuda and the Vadakkumnatha temple
at Thrissur are the main centres where Kootiyattam is still performed annually.
Ammannoor Madhava Chakkiar is an unrivalled maestro of this rare art.
Krishnanattamas :
The name suggests, originated as a votive offering to sree Krishna. This group
performance, based on the Sanskrit text Krishna Geetha, is presented across
eight nights. The charm of this classical art form is in the synchronised
graceful movements of the entire group. The costume and makeup of Krishnanattam
bear traces of resemblances to Kathkali and folk arts likeThiyattam, Mudiyettu
and Theyyam. Musical instruments used are maddalam, elathalam and chengila.
Krishnanattam is most commonly performed in the Guruvayoor temple.
Mohiniyattam (the
dance of the enchantress) :
The sinuous dance of the enchantress, this is a distinctive classical dance
form of Kerala. Slow, graceful, swaying movements of the body and limbs and
highly emotive eye and hand gestures are unique to this dance form. The simple,
elegant gold-filigreed dress, in pure white or ivory, is akin to the traditional
attire of the women of Kerala. The origin of Mohiniyattom is rooted in Hindu
mythology. Once the ocean of milk was churned by the gods and demons to extract
the elixir of life and immortality. The demons made away with this divine
brew.
Lord Vishnu came to the rescue of the panicky gods and assumed the female
form of an amorous celestial dame Mohini. Captivating the demons with her
charms, Mohini stole the elixir from them and restored it to the gods. This
dance was adopted by the Devadasi or temple dancers, hence also the name 'Dasiattam'
which was very popular during the Chera reign from 9th to 12th century.
Patakam (literally, dissertation) :
It is similar to Koothu in technical content, gestures and movements. However,
the narration is through prose and song sequences. The costume is predominated
by the red colour-the red head dress and a red silk wrist band. The performer
also wears heavy garlands around the neck and thick lines of sandal paste
across the forehead. Patakam is also performed outside the temples.
Thullal :
Thullal is a solo performance combining the dance and recitation of stories
in verse. Staged during temple festivals, the performer explicates the verses
through expressive gestures. The themes are based on mythology. This satiric
art form was introduced in the18th century by the renowned poet Kunchan Nambiar
.
Humour, satire and social criticism are the hallmarks of Thullal. The make
up, though simple, is very much akin to that of Kathakali. The Thullal dancer
is supported by a singer who repeats the verses and is accompanied by an orchestra
of mridangam or thoppi maddalam (percussions) and cymbals. 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.
Thullal is usually performed in the premises of temples during festivals
and provides for thought and entertainment to the thousands of people who
gather at these events.
Culture of Kerala
Theyyam also known as Kaliyattam, it is a ritual dance popular
in north Kerala or the erstwhile Kolathunadu. Theyyam incorporates dance, mime
and music and enshrines the rudiments of ancient tribal cultures which attached
great importance to the worship of heroes and the spirits of ancestors. Of the
over 400 Theyyams performed, the most spectacular ones are those of Raktha Chamundi,
Kari Chamundi, Muchilottu Bhagavathi, Wayanadu Kulaveni, Gulikan and Pottan.
These are performed in front of shrines, sans stage or curtains, by persons
belonging to the Vannan, Malayan and other related castes.
'Thudangal' (the beginning) and 'Thottam' (the invocation) are the introductory
rituals of the Theyyam or the Thira, as it is known in south Malabar. The
headgear and other ornamental decorations are spectacular in sheer size and
appearance. Karivalloor, Nileswaram, Kurumathoor, Parassini, Cherukunnu, Ezhom
and Kunnathoorpadi in north Malabar are places where Theyyams are performed
annually from December to April.
Cherumarkali is a harvest dance in which the dancers, both men and women
move in a swift rhythm, linked in a back lock or holding arms. The costumes
are in striking red and white.
Kaalavela is a spectacular procession of huge, gaudily decorated motifs of
bulls (kaala.)
Kalampattu (kalamezhuthu pattu) is another folk art form that belongs
to the northern regions of Kerala. This art form which is over 600years old
is performed by a group of five to fifteen people in Bhadrakali and Ayyappa
temples. The rituals is performed around the kolam -an elaborate picture, usually
of Bhadrakali, drawn on the floor, using five colours. The performance in the
light of temple torches lasts through the night. The singers are neatly dressed
with women wearing their hair on the side of the head. A series of songs (kalampattu)
are sung to the accompaniment of nanthuni and elathalam.
Kalaripayattu is the comprehensive system of martial arts if Kerala, regarded
as one of the oldest and most scientific in the world. Kalaripayattu training
aims at the ultimate co-ordination of mind and body. The traditional training
in a Kalari includes specialisation in indigenous medical practices too. Kalaris
are also centres of religious worship.
Kaliyoottu is an eight day long colourful folk ritual which re-enacts
the combat between goddess Durga and the demon Darika. The ritual is performed
in different stages. The climax of the play- the ritual called paranettu- is
performed on a specially constructed 100 feet high stage on the eight day.
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