THE INDIAN STATE OF KERALA IS WELL KNOWN FOR ITS DIVERSE FORMS OF PERFORMING ARTS. THE VARIOUS COMMUNITIES IN KERALA CONTRIBUTE TO ITS RICH AND COLORFUL CULTURE
Kakkarissi Natakom, satirical dance-drama of Kerala
Kakkarissi Natakom is a satirical dance-drama based on the puranic legends of Lord Siva and his consort Parvati when they assumed human forms as Kakkalan and Kakkathi – a nomadic tribe of fortune tellers. The legend only serves as a skeletal framework for the play, which often turns into a subtle critique of contemporary society. The language is a blend of Tamil and Malayalam. The chief characters are Kakkalan, Kakkathi, Vedan, Velichappadu, Thampuraan and the ubiquitous Jester. The Dholak, Ganchira, Chenda and the Harmonium provide the background score.
Kathakali
Kerala owes its transnational fame to this nearly 300 years old classical dance form which combines facets of ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime. It is said to have evolved from other performing arts like Kootiyattam, Krishnanattam and Kalarippayattu. Kathakali explicates ideas and stories from the Indian epics and Puranas
