Ritual Arts of Kerala

Arjuna Nritham

Arjuna nritham a ritual art performed by men prevalent in the Bhagavathy temples of Kerala.

Kalamezhuthu

Kalamezhuthu pattu is performed as part of the rituals to worship and propitiate gods like Kaali, Ayyappan or Vettakkorumakan.

Kannyarkali

Kannyarkali, also known as Desathukali, is a folk art exclusively practised by the Nair community of the Palakkad area.

Kavadiyattom

Kavadiyattam, a colourful ritual art, is a votive offering to Sree Subramanya. Basically of Tamil origin.

Kummattikkali

Kummattikkali is a mask dance popular in some of the northern districts of Kerala.

Mudiyettu

Mudiyettu is a ritual dance performed in some Kaali temples of Ernakulam and Kottayam districts of Kerala.

Panna

Paana or Pallippaana, as it is sometimes called, is a ritual art to propitiate the goddess Bhadrakaali.

Patayani

Patayani is a week- long ritual dance, held in Kaali temples on the banks of the Pamba river during the Malayalam months of Meenam and Medam.

Poothanumthirayum

Poothanumthirayum a ritual offering to Goddess Kaali is performed in many places of South Malabar.

Theeyattu

Theeyattu is a solo dance-drama performed in front of the Kalam or Dhooli Chitram (ritual drawing with coloured powders).

Theyyam

Theyyam also known as Kaliyattam, it is a ritual dance popular in north Kerala or the erstwhile Kolathunadu.

Tholppavakkoothu

Tholppavakkoothu, literally meaning 'leather puppet play', is a ritual art performed during the annual festivals in the Kaali temples of Palakkad district.

Velakali

Velakali is a spectacular martial dance is performed by men in some of the temples of southern Kerala.