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Kerala is well known for its beaches and its beef, its backwaters and its spice trade. But what most Kerala tours won’t expose you to is the plethora of art, dance, literature and myriad other cultural aspects of India’s only communist state. The mix of Hindu, Christian and Muslim populations in the state of Kerala contribute greatly to the diversity of its art forms. Kathakali and Kalaripayyatu are just the beginning. Here are some of Kerala’s more obscure arts to watch out for while you pass through the state as you travel India: 1) Mappila Paattu
Distinctly Muslim in nature, Mappila Paattu is a genre of folk music whose highlights are the lyrics, written as they are in a mishmash of Arabic laced Malayalam, traditionally spoken by the Mappilas of Malabar. These lyrics are a linguistic kaleidoscope of Urdu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and Arabic influences that, even though separate as languages, are governed by Malayali syntax. It is a wonderful example of how languages relate to one another. 2) Margam Kali
It is no secret that Keralans love their dance. Kathakali is after all now taught and performed all over the world. However, while that remains a distinctly Hindu dance, Margam Kali is one that belongs to the resident Christians of Kerala, specifically Syrian or St. Thomas Christians. It is a group dance that derives its aesthetics from Jewish and Hindu Brahmin elements and is choreographed to explain the biography of the apostle St. Thomas. 3) Thiriyuzhichil
Thiriyuzhichil is a dance traditionally performed by the Pulluva sect of Hindu Keralans as deference to, and to assuage the fear of, snakes. This particular form of dance stems from Hindu customs and its purpose is to appease the queen of snakes. Time-honoured accompaniments to this dance include indigenous Keralan drums and cymbals, as the element of percussion is highly revered in Keralan folk music. 4) Sopana Sangeetham
Sopana Sangeetham is a form of Indian classical music which falls under the rubric of Carnatic music. A cohesive amalgamation of folk, tribal and Vedic music is what led to the development of Sopana Sangeetham, which rose in popularity when it was adopted by temple priests for the purpose of portraying the poet Jayadeva’s composition Ashtapadis. 5) Kummattikali
Kummattikali is similar to kathakali in that it is a form of dance that employs a mask rather than relying on the performer’s facial expressions. It is one of Kerala’s more popular performing arts, particularly because it is performed at the time of Onam. Like most traditional dances in Kerala, it is narrative in nature and derives its stories from the Ramayana, the story of Shiva and other local folk tales. As those who travel India with an immense seriousness, it is our responsibility to look beyond the obvious and to search for those elements of a place that give one as deep an insight into the local culture and customs. When embarking on one of those Kerala tours next, remember to look out for and to witness the above mentioned arts, which stand to entirely change your perception of Kerala. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ninad Chaudhari works as a Web UI Designer / Developer with Cox & Kings. In his spare time, Ninad is an ardent photographer and loves to travel India. His albums are replete with pictures of Kerala tours.
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