Culture of Kerala
The land of Kerala was known during early times as 'Kerala' or 'Malabar'. 'Kerala' is said to have its orgin from 'Cheram' which is derived from 'Chera' which was a dynasty that ruled Kerala. The pre-history of Kerala has not been traced so far. It is recorded that during the Paleolithic age, Kerala was not inhabited. Heritage Kerala Tours,Heritage Culture of Kerala,Royal Art Tour in Kerala India,Arts of Kerala,Culture Information Kerala,Arts Culture in Kerala However, stone and copper inscriptions, give evidence to a megalithic age, which has been assigned by some scholars to be between 700-400B.C.
Popular legends says that the sage parasurama threw his parasu(axe) from Gokarnam top Kanyakumari. The water in the whole area receded and land was formed.Heritage Kerala Tours,Heritage Culture of Kerala,Royal Art Tour in Kerala India,Arts of Kerala,Culture Information Kerala,Arts Culture in Kerala That was how Kerala came into being.
It is very clear that Kerala had been a very important place of attraction for the tourists from time immemorial. Literacy works of those times extoll the beauty of the land. Heritage Kerala Tours,Heritage Culture of Kerala,Royal Art Tour in Kerala India,Arts of Kerala,Culture Information Kerala,Arts Culture in Kerala Kerala had trade relations with Egypt, Babylon, Phoenicia, Greece and Rome even before the Aryan incursion, which was between 2000 and 1600 B. C. However, popular legend says that the land stretching from Goa to Gokarnam was reclaimed by the mythical hero, Sage Parasurama and that was how Kerala came into being. But references from Hebrew texts give the evidence that Kerala had trade contacts with Phoenicia and Egypt, long before the Aryan incursion.
The stone inscriptions of ancient Kerala reveal that the land had a well-planned administrative and political system. The spice trade of Kerala was the main attraction of the tourists. Different kinds of spices were traded to different countries including Israel, Arabia, Greece, Rome, China and Western Europe.
The classical writers of antiquity are full of praises about the remote little land. The Greek ambassador, Megasthenes in his work, Indica, gives an account of the Chera Kingdom. The author of the Periplus (Ist century A. D) have given plenty of information about Kerala. The Indian Puranas also have mentioned this land in their accounts. In addition, many other foreign writers like Marco Polo (13th century), Ibn Batuta (14th century), Nicolo Conti (15th century) and many others have given vivid accounts of Kerala as a land of trade.
Performing arts, a slice of culture
Kerala's performing arts are feast to the eyes of tourists. A sheer variety of art forms, when performed by consummate artistes with the requisite paraphernalia make watching them worth. Legends and legendary characters resurrect from the dog-eared pages of history books and make their apparitions on the stages leaving the audience in ecstasy. The attire, roves and facial expressions of the artistes are a sumptuous treat for eyes. Centuries down, Kerala's performing arts had enjoyed the patronage and pats from successive rulers. Besides, the now defunct feudal system had also contributed for the nourishment of art and culture. The Northern region of the state is a repertoire of arts and culture. Many of these performing arts are enmeshed with the cultural history of religious communities. While classical art forms such as Kathalkali and Bharathayatyam were the stronghold of upper class, those from lower strata of the society performed dance forms such as theyyam and padayani. If the former class performed in the temple premises and specially erected stages, the later had to venture on streets to show their artistic prowess. Art & Culture of Kerala
Besides, the aborigines of the state have their own art forms. Cherumarkali, a harvest dance is one among them. Dancers, men and women, with hands entwined, waltz rhythmically to the drumbeats. They will send you into trance. Rapturous moments for audience. Dainty world of performing arts. Engrossing ensemble of dance and folk arts.
Flamboyant cultural procession is an integral part of any festival here. In temple fests, deities adorned with glittering jewels and colorful garlands are shouldered in the procession to the accompaniment of chanting of hymns, blowing of conches and playing of nadswaram.
The Religions of Kerala
The cultural synthesis that took place in Kerala has made it adopt and accept different religious beliefs too. During the early times, the people followed the Dravidian way of life and the religious practices associated with it. They followed many primitive rites and practices. They worshipped local deities in addition to honouring trees and ancestors. Since there was no social stratification among them, their way of life was essentially founded on the principles of equality. It was during this time, that the influx of the Jains, Buddhists and the Aryans took place.
Some of the well known performing art forms of Kerala are: Kalaripayatt, Mohiniyattom, Chakyar Koothu, Theyyam, Ottam Thullal, Loodiyattom, Bharathanatyam, Chavittunadakam, Poorakkali, Theyattu.
Art & Culture of Kerala
Theyyam 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
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 (March - April).
Poothanumthirayum This ritual offering to Goddess Kaali is performed in many places of South Malabar. A troupe of dancers dress up as Kaali (the Thira) and the accompanying spirits (the Poothams) who were created alo....
Paana Paana or Pallippaana, as it is sometimes called, is a ritual art to propitiate the goddess Bhadrakaali. The art form is popular in the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram.
Mudiyettu Mudiyettu is a ritual dance performed in some Kaali temples of Ernakulam and Kottayam districts (central Kerala). The dance celebrates the goddess's triumph over the demon Daarikan.
Koothu Koothu is a socio-religious art performed in the Koothambalam or the Koothuthara of temples, either independently or as part of Kootiyattam.
Kannyarkali Kannyarkali, also known as Desathukali, is a folk art exclusively practised by the Nair community of the Palakkad area.Religions of Kerala
Religions of Kerala
Arjuna nritham Arjuna nritham (the dance of Arjuna) is a ritual art performed by men and is prevalent in the Bhagavathy temples of Kerala. Arjuna, the most valiant of the five heroic brothers - the Pandavas
Tholppavakkoothu Tholppavakkoothu, literally meaning 'leather puppet play', is a ritual art performed during the annual festivals in the Kaali temples of Palakkad district.
Velakali This spectacular martial dance is performed by men in some of the temples of southern Kerala. The dancers, clad in the traditional clothes and colourful headgear of the medieval Nair soldiers.
Kalamezhuthu The kalam is a unique drawing also called dhulee chithram or powder drawing. The artist uses the floor as his canvas. Kalamezhuthu pattu is performed as part of the rituals to worship and propitiate.
Margomkali Margomkali is a ritual folk art of the Syrian Christians of Kottayam and Thrissur districts. A dozen dancers sing and dance around a lighted wick lamp ( Nilavilakku), clad in the simple traditional .
Kavadiyattom Kavadiyattam, a colourful ritual art, is a votive offering to Sree Subramanya. Basically of Tamil origin, Kavadiyattam is widely prevalent in the Subramanya temples all over Kerala during the festival
Theeyattu Theeyattu is a solo dance-drama performed in front of the Kalam or Dhooli Chitram (ritual drawing with coloured powders). It is enacted in some Bhagavathy temples of Thiruvalla, Kottayam.
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