Kaikottikkali

Kaikottikkali is a dance to the accompaniment of clapping of hands and songs, performed by women during Onam and Thiruvathira. Ladies stand in a circle and then sing and dance. It can be termed as ‘Onakkali’ or ‘Thiruvathirakkali’ depending up on the time they are performed. A stream of songs pertaining to puranic stories is available for ‘Kaikottikkali’. The performers wearing mundu (loin cloth) and neriyathu (traditional dress of Kerala women) form a circle around the Nilavilakku (bell metal pedestal oil lamp) and start dancing by clapping hands to the tune of Kaikottikalippattu. Initially the dance movements would be clockwise and when it picks up momentum, it becomes anti-clockwise.

Kakkarasinatakam

Kakkarissinatakam is a dance-drama. It is an art form that blends music, dialogue, dance and drama. Kakkan and Kakkathies are the main characters and hence the drama-dance form is known as Kakkarasinatakam. The origin of the art form is based on the legend of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi. They disguised as human beings and went round the earth as Kakkan and Kakkathi and performed the art form with a view to end corruption among human beings. Satire, social criticism and humor are the distinctive features of this art form. Thampuran, Sundaran Kakkan, two Kakkathies are the main characters. Additional characters can be added according to the situation. The dialogue of the dance-drama is a kind of question-answer type. Thampuran asks questions and the Kakkan gives humorous answers amidst songs. Changes in the story and dialogue are also permissible according to situations.

Kummattikkali

Kummattikkali is a mask dance of Kerala. The dancers, wearing painted wooden masks perform dance. The Kummatti is a witch and the other characters are Gods and Goddesses. The songs are of devotional themes. Ona-villu (bow like musical instrument) is also played.

Kurathiyattom

A ritual dance performed in temple festivals. Kuravan, Kurathy and Muthiamma are the main characters of this dance form. Love, quarrel and reconciliation between Kuravan and Kurathy are the theme of the dance.

Kuravarkali

An early dance form performed by the members of Kuravan community.
Participants stand around a lit nilavilakku (bell metal oil lamp) and perform dance encircling the lamp.

Pavakoothu

Pavakoothu or Tholppavakkoothu, means puppet play. Pavakoothu is presented as a shadow play. It is a ritual art form performed during festivals in temples. The themes of the play are based on Ramayana. The play narrates story of Sree Rama. The puppets are arranged behind a long white curtain stretched across the Koothumadom. Behind this a row of burning lamps are placed. The light from these lamps cast the shadow of the puppets on the curtain when the puppeteer moves the puppets.

Thiruvathirakali

Thiruvathirakali associated with the Thiruvathira festivalal is mainly intended for Nair women. Only women partake thiruvathirakali. It is also called Kaikottikkali. Thiruvathirakkali is a popular, graceful group dance form of women. Apart from Thiruvathira, it is also performed during Onam festival. Ladies stand in a circle and then sing and dance by clapping their hands. A stream of songs pertaining to puranic stories is available for the dance. The performers wearing mundu and neriyathu (traditional dress of Kerala women) form a circle around the Nilavilakku (traditional oil lamp) and start dancing by clapping hands to the tune of Thiruvathirappattu. Initially the dance movements would be clockwise and when it picks up momentum, it becomes anti-clockwise. On the day
of Thiruvathira festival women take early bath and observe noyambu (fasting). They take only non-rice foods on the day. In the evening, they perform the thiruvathirakali. Now a day, Thiruvathirakali has become a popular dance form for all seasons.

Thumbithullal

Thumbithullal is a group dance form of girls, performed during the Onam festival. The girls sit around a leader and sing songs accompanied by clapping of hands. As the song picks up momentum and attains high pitch, the leader goes on a dazed condition and starts dancing with frenzy body movements. Very often she falls unconscious at the end of the music and dance.