Reflecting the temperaments and moods, Kerala has a rich gamut of folk dances. The dances signify the folk culture of Kerala and are usually performed in association with harvests, sowing of seeds festivals etc. It is not only the women who take part in the various dance forms; the men also accompany them in their performances. Most of the folk dances are performed on the songs that are sung by the dancers themselves or occasionally by a group of musicians. The costumes and ornaments worn by the dancers are very attractive and they look vibrant adding on the charisma to the dancers as well as the dance performances. The various dance forms of this region are simple yet deep and very expressive. Some of the popular dance forms are listed below. Kalaripayattu Kalaripayattu is a martial dance form and perhaps the oldest martial art practiced in the world. Kalaripayattu derives its name from "Kalari" or the ground in which the combatants fight and "payattu" which means practice in Malayalam. Nowadays, Kalaripayattu is practiced more as fitness training and as a demonstration sport. In earlier times, soldiers and warriors practiced this dance form as a fighting art. It is remarkable to note that previously, conflicts between courtiers and disputes between landlords were settled by sessions of Kalaripayattu. There are two main forms of this dance form, namely the Vadakkan form or the Northern style, and the Thekkan form or the southern style. Both these forms differ in their speed and movements. Kolkkali Kolkalli Dances is a popular and an old dance forms of Kerala that dates back to some 200 years, which is performed mainly by the agrarian classes. It is a rhythmic dance form where the dancers brandish short sticks during their performance. The rhythm of this dance is set by a harmonious synchronization of the tapping of feet to the clapping of sticks. Kaliyattam Kaliyattam also known as Theyyam originates from an ancient socio-religious ceremony and a sacred dance performance performed to please the Goddess, Kali, by which every village in Kerala was bound and had its own common shrine, in front of which the dance was performed on a regular basis. The word Kali signifies 'safety' in Malayalam. Oppana Dance Oppana is a dance form specific to the Muslim community of Kerala, which is usually a bridal group dance performed on the day before the wedding. It is a dance form essential to the wedding entertainment and festivities of the Muslims especially in the Malabar region of Kerala. Oppana is generally presented by young female relatives of the bride, who sing and dance around the bride clapping their hands. Thullal Dance The word 'Thullal' means 'Caper' or 'to leap or jump about playfully'. This dance form emerged during the eighteenth century. A solo performance combining both dance and recitation, thullal is the explication of a tale, usually taken from the puranas that is narrated in the verses. Kunchan Nambiar, renowned poet of the eighteenth century, first introduced this dance form. Unlike Kathakali and Koodiyattom, the humorous and satiric mode of presentation and the use of simple Malayalam language made this dance form very popular among the ordinary people. Mudiyettu Dance Mudiyettu is a ritualistic dance coiled from the Bhagavathy cult and the theme depicts the glory and triumph of Bhagavathy over the demon Darika. The characters are heavily made up with gorgeous costumes, intricate and elaborate and with conventional facial paintings, tall head-gears etc. Attired and adorned exotically with a unique eeriness and gruesomeness, the characters seem quite supernatural. Padayani Dance Padayani or padeni is one of the most colorful and spectacular folk dances associated with the festivals of certain temples in southern districts of Kerala, namely Alappuzha, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam. The word padayani literally means military formations or rows of army, but in this folk art we have mainly a series of divine and semi-divine impersonations wearing huge masks or Kolams of different shapes, colours and designs painted on the stalks of arecanut fronds. The most important of the kolams usually presented in a padayani performance are Bhairavi (Kali), Kolam (god of death), Yakshi (fairy), Pakshi (bird) etc.
Ottan Thullal dance is performed solo and because of it's ready mass appeal, it is also known as the poor man's Kathakali. Kunjan Nambiar evolved it and brought out the social conditions of his time. The distractions of class and the weaknesses and whims of the rich and the great. The dialogue is in simple Malayalam language and therefore ensures mass appeal.
