Folk dance of kerala
The culture of an area can be acknowledged by its art and dance forms. Dances are considered
integral parts of the culture of any region. Kerala which is situated within the southern part of India
and is popularly known as ‘God’s Own Country’ has several dance forms. Among the various folk
dances, some are native and have gained recognition only within the state whereas, some have
gained popularity worldwide. Many of those folk dance of kerala were performed at the time of
temple festivals and occasions.The folk dances of Kerala are also closely linked to the festivals
celebrated in the temples. Every temple has its own festivals, which are celebrated with much
enthusiasm and joy. During these festivals, the folk dances are performed with great vigour and
enthusiasm. They serve as an important part of the celebrations and add to the festive
atmosphere.Folk dances of Kerala is an integral part of the culture and heritage of the state. These
dances have been around for centuries and have been passed down from generation to
generation.
These sorts of dances are unique in their way of presentation with wonderful expressions, which
are performed by the finest dancers. The performers are adorned with attractive costumes and
ornaments that add charm to the folk dance.Kerala has around 50 sorts of dances. Among these
Theyyam,Padayani, Thiruvathira Kali, Chakyar Koothu Koodiyattam, and Ottamthullal are several of
the prominent dances of Kerala.
The relationship between folk dances of Kerala and the temples is deep-rooted and goes back
centuries. The temples serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for the folk dances in terms
of the movements, choreography and music. The dances are often based on stories and themes
taken from Hindu mythology or local folklore and reflect the glory of the gods and goddesses
worshipped at the temples.
,In addition to this, the temples in Kerala are also the source of traditional music used in many folk
dances. The performers use traditional instruments such as the kolam and thakil to create the
unique melodies and beats associated with the dances. . They are closely linked to the temples,
which provide the source of inspiration and music for the dances.The music and the dances
together create a unique atmosphere, which is both spiritual and festive.. Furthermore, the festivals
celebrated in the temples provide an opportunity for performers to showcase their talents and delight the
audience with their energetic and captivating performances.
Folk dances in Kerala often incorporate elements from Hindu mythology, such as stories from the Ramayana
and Mahabharata, as well as other stories from local folklore. The movements of the dancers are often
symbolic of the various gods and goddesses worshipped in the temples. For example, the popular dance
form of Kaikottikkali is based on the stories of Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha. The intricate movements
of the dancers represent the divine grace of the Lord and his love for Radha.Similarly,Padayani is performed
to re-create events of pacifying the Bhagwati or Bhadrakali.
Padayani is the traditional ritual theatre art form of Kerala which is a beautiful amalgamation of music,
dance, theatre, satire, facial masks, and paintings. It is a Dravidian form of worship that existed before the
advent of Brahmanism. The ancient ritual is performed in Bhagavati temples, dedicated to goddess
Bhadrakali. The performance takes place from mid-December to mid-May.Different villages follow different
calendars for the ritual in their temples.
Padayani has been a part of Kerala's cultural heritage for centuries and is considered to be one of the most
important dance forms in the state.. Padayani reflects the ancient socialist society before Aryanization and
four caste system. So in Padayani all the villagers take active part without racial discriminations. Each and
every Padayani Karappuram (centers or village celebrating Padayani) observe padayani in their own way. In
different aspect such as observation of rituals, order of performance and span of Padayani days difference
noticed is of course very huge.
, The dance is an expression of the love and reverence that the people have for their gods and goddesses,
and it is believed to bring good fortune and blessings to those who witness it.Padayani is a highly stylized
dance form that is performed by both men and women. The dancers wear elaborate masks and costumes to
depict various mythological and cultural stories, such as the victory of good over evil. It is not just a form of
entertainment but is also considered to be a spiritual and cultural expression, reflecting the beliefs and
values of the people of Kerala. The word comes from the word Pedani which means military formation.In
other words,it originated from malayalam words 'Pada' meaning military and 'ani' meaning preparation.It
celebrates the victory of Goddess Bhadrakali over the demons that come in various shapes and forms. Some
of them within us and some outside us.
Devi Bhadrakali takes birth to kill the demons like Daruka who cannot be killed otherwise. In her Raudra or
angry incarnation, she kills the demon. After killing, she is still raging with anger. In this state, she went to
Kailasha – her father Shiva’s abode in the Himalayas.
Her anger must be pacified. So, Shiva and his Bhootganas wear masks made of leaves and dance to live
music and sing songs to pacify her. Even then she does not get pacified. Then she sees her fearsome form
drawn on the floor as Kolam and that amuses here. It is believed that first Kolam was drawn by none other
than Karthikeyan. This is said to be the beginning of the ritual of Kalamezhuthum.
Padayani is performed to re-create this event of pacifying the Bhagwati or Bhadrakali. Dances are
performed in rounds called Kolams. Each Kolam has a prime dancer. One of the Kolam even has Shiva as a
dancer.Ritual typically ends with Bhagwati or Bhadrakali doing a peaceful dance & blessing everyone
around.Padayani is unique to central Travancore, comprising the Pathanamthitta and kottayam districts of
Kerala.It is actively practiced in Central Kerala, mostly in the Bhagwati or Bhadrakali temples located on the
banks of Pampa River.Traditionally, it used to be practiced for as long as 21 days or nights. Nowadays, it is
mostly done for 7 nights or 3 nights. Sometimes, it is also crunched into a one-night performance.
Padyani is a modern form of Kolam Thullal, a ritual dance, which had been performed by the magico-
medicine men of Kerala ( The Tinta endogamous section of Ganaka community ) .In olden days, this
elaborate and expensive event was carried out to heal illnesses of deep psychological dysfunctions without
The culture of an area can be acknowledged by its art and dance forms. Dances are considered
integral parts of the culture of any region. Kerala which is situated within the southern part of India
and is popularly known as ‘God’s Own Country’ has several dance forms. Among the various folk
dances, some are native and have gained recognition only within the state whereas, some have
gained popularity worldwide. Many of those folk dance of kerala were performed at the time of
temple festivals and occasions.The folk dances of Kerala are also closely linked to the festivals
celebrated in the temples. Every temple has its own festivals, which are celebrated with much
enthusiasm and joy. During these festivals, the folk dances are performed with great vigour and
enthusiasm. They serve as an important part of the celebrations and add to the festive
atmosphere.Folk dances of Kerala is an integral part of the culture and heritage of the state. These
dances have been around for centuries and have been passed down from generation to
generation.
These sorts of dances are unique in their way of presentation with wonderful expressions, which
are performed by the finest dancers. The performers are adorned with attractive costumes and
ornaments that add charm to the folk dance.Kerala has around 50 sorts of dances. Among these
Theyyam,Padayani, Thiruvathira Kali, Chakyar Koothu Koodiyattam, and Ottamthullal are several of
the prominent dances of Kerala.
The relationship between folk dances of Kerala and the temples is deep-rooted and goes back
centuries. The temples serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for the folk dances in terms
of the movements, choreography and music. The dances are often based on stories and themes
taken from Hindu mythology or local folklore and reflect the glory of the gods and goddesses
worshipped at the temples.
,In addition to this, the temples in Kerala are also the source of traditional music used in many folk
dances. The performers use traditional instruments such as the kolam and thakil to create the
unique melodies and beats associated with the dances. . They are closely linked to the temples,
which provide the source of inspiration and music for the dances.The music and the dances
together create a unique atmosphere, which is both spiritual and festive.. Furthermore, the festivals
celebrated in the temples provide an opportunity for performers to showcase their talents and delight the
audience with their energetic and captivating performances.
Folk dances in Kerala often incorporate elements from Hindu mythology, such as stories from the Ramayana
and Mahabharata, as well as other stories from local folklore. The movements of the dancers are often
symbolic of the various gods and goddesses worshipped in the temples. For example, the popular dance
form of Kaikottikkali is based on the stories of Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha. The intricate movements
of the dancers represent the divine grace of the Lord and his love for Radha.Similarly,Padayani is performed
to re-create events of pacifying the Bhagwati or Bhadrakali.
Padayani is the traditional ritual theatre art form of Kerala which is a beautiful amalgamation of music,
dance, theatre, satire, facial masks, and paintings. It is a Dravidian form of worship that existed before the
advent of Brahmanism. The ancient ritual is performed in Bhagavati temples, dedicated to goddess
Bhadrakali. The performance takes place from mid-December to mid-May.Different villages follow different
calendars for the ritual in their temples.
Padayani has been a part of Kerala's cultural heritage for centuries and is considered to be one of the most
important dance forms in the state.. Padayani reflects the ancient socialist society before Aryanization and
four caste system. So in Padayani all the villagers take active part without racial discriminations. Each and
every Padayani Karappuram (centers or village celebrating Padayani) observe padayani in their own way. In
different aspect such as observation of rituals, order of performance and span of Padayani days difference
noticed is of course very huge.
, The dance is an expression of the love and reverence that the people have for their gods and goddesses,
and it is believed to bring good fortune and blessings to those who witness it.Padayani is a highly stylized
dance form that is performed by both men and women. The dancers wear elaborate masks and costumes to
depict various mythological and cultural stories, such as the victory of good over evil. It is not just a form of
entertainment but is also considered to be a spiritual and cultural expression, reflecting the beliefs and
values of the people of Kerala. The word comes from the word Pedani which means military formation.In
other words,it originated from malayalam words 'Pada' meaning military and 'ani' meaning preparation.It
celebrates the victory of Goddess Bhadrakali over the demons that come in various shapes and forms. Some
of them within us and some outside us.
Devi Bhadrakali takes birth to kill the demons like Daruka who cannot be killed otherwise. In her Raudra or
angry incarnation, she kills the demon. After killing, she is still raging with anger. In this state, she went to
Kailasha – her father Shiva’s abode in the Himalayas.
Her anger must be pacified. So, Shiva and his Bhootganas wear masks made of leaves and dance to live
music and sing songs to pacify her. Even then she does not get pacified. Then she sees her fearsome form
drawn on the floor as Kolam and that amuses here. It is believed that first Kolam was drawn by none other
than Karthikeyan. This is said to be the beginning of the ritual of Kalamezhuthum.
Padayani is performed to re-create this event of pacifying the Bhagwati or Bhadrakali. Dances are
performed in rounds called Kolams. Each Kolam has a prime dancer. One of the Kolam even has Shiva as a
dancer.Ritual typically ends with Bhagwati or Bhadrakali doing a peaceful dance & blessing everyone
around.Padayani is unique to central Travancore, comprising the Pathanamthitta and kottayam districts of
Kerala.It is actively practiced in Central Kerala, mostly in the Bhagwati or Bhadrakali temples located on the
banks of Pampa River.Traditionally, it used to be practiced for as long as 21 days or nights. Nowadays, it is
mostly done for 7 nights or 3 nights. Sometimes, it is also crunched into a one-night performance.
Padyani is a modern form of Kolam Thullal, a ritual dance, which had been performed by the magico-
medicine men of Kerala ( The Tinta endogamous section of Ganaka community ) .In olden days, this
elaborate and expensive event was carried out to heal illnesses of deep psychological dysfunctions without
