The intricately woven history of Kerala is deeply alluring, mystical and charming, all rolled into one. The first images that one gets when talking about Kerala Culture is of course, that of the oldest and most scientific martial arts known to man, Kalaripayattu.

Kalaripayattu

Indeed, the legends of North Kerala’s great warriors, Unniyarcha, Aromal Chekavar and so many others are still told in these parts today and many tourists who come to see this unique martial arts form are left mesmerized by it.

Theyyam

When talking about North Malabar, one cannot ignore the ritual dance of Theyyam which incorporates dance, mime and music and at the same time preserves the essentials of ancient cultures that attached importance to the worship of heroes and ancestors. One cannot simply leave North Kerala without witnessing a Theyyam performance in all its glory

Theeyattu

Moving from North Kerala, the southern parts of the state has a fascinating solo dance drama performed in some temples of Thiruvalla, Kottayam and so on called the Theeyattu. The ritualistic dance form begins with an invocation to Lord Shia, Ganapathy and Goddess Sarasawathi and then the dance form is performed.

Kalamezuthu

Another popular art form is the Kalamezuthu, a unique drawing wherein the artist uses the floor as his canvas. This is also another ritualistic art deeply rooted in the legends and mythical stories that are a part of Kerala. The ritualistic art is a common feature of Bhagavathi temples in the state and is a popular ritualisit festival that goes on for forty days.

Besides these ritualistic art forms, dance forms like Kathakali, Koothu, Koodiyattom, Krishnanattom and Mohiniyattam is also popular. There are other dance forms that are closely tied to a religious affiliation like the Margamkali popular among the Kerala Christian Community or the Duffmuttu of the Islamic Community here. One simply cannot turn their eyes away from the mesmerisizng sight of these dance ritualistic art forms.