Koodiyattam has been performed by Chakyars and by Nangyaramma (women of the Ambalavasi Nambiar caste). Chakyar play Koodiyattam inside the temple or in the Koothambalam.
It is formally approved by UNESCO as a Masterwork of the 'Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.’
Famous Artists: Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar. Ammannur Madhava Chakyar, Painkulam Rama Chakyar, Painkulam Damodara Chakyar.
Kathakali
Kathakali is classical indian dance-drama, which was originated during the 17th century.
Kathakali is emerged from Krishnanattam developed by Manaveda, the Zamorin of Calciut.
The immediate origin of Kathakali to the Ramanattam is developed by Kottarakara Thampuran.
Krishnanattam was written in Sanskrit, and Ramanattam was in Malayalam.
In the second half of 17th century, Attakatha was introduced to the world as ‘Kathakali’.
Kathakali training centres of the state are Kerala Kalamandalam, Margi Trivandrum, PSV Nadyasangham Kozhikode, Sadanam etc.
The key facial expressions of a Kathakali performer is 'navarasams'. It is described in Nadyasasthra.
Make-up code of Kathakali is Pachcha, Kathi, Kari, Thaadi, and Minukku.
Guru Chengannur Raman Pillai is ever renowned as the ‘Sovereign Guru of Kathakali’.
Other popular artists were Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair, Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair, Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair, Mankompu Sivasankara Pillai, Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon, Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, Kalamandalam Gopi, Kottakkal Sivaraman, Guru Kunchukurup etc.
Kerala Natanam is partly based on Kathakali techniques and aesthetics, developed by the late dancer Guru Gopinath.
Mohiniyattam
Classical dance form originated in 16th century. It was popularised by Swathi Thirunal. Popular artists of Mohiniyattam were Thottasseri Chinnammu Amma, Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma.
Other Art forms of Kerala
Theyyam is the popular ritual form of worship in North Malabar.
Padayani is the traditional folk dance and a ritual art of Pathanamthitta.
Ottamthullal was established in the world in 1700s by Kunchan Nambiar
Mudiyett is the folk dance drama. It is a mythological tale of a battle between the goddess Kali and the demon Darika.
Kalaripayattu is the martial art form of kerala.
Arjunanritham is a popular dance form in Alappuzha and Kottayam Districts.
Kummattikali is a mask dance popular in South Malabar.
Thirayattom is played as part of festive rituals in Kavus in Central Malabar.
Koothu is an informal dance structure. Its performances generally depict scenes from ancient epics like Ramayana, Mahabharatha and Tamil classical epics.
Chavittu Nadakam is a Latin Christian classical art form originated in Cochin.
Pulikali is played by skilled performers to entertain people on the time of Onam. It is popular in Thrissur district.
Some other art forms of kerala includes Sarpam Thullal, Pulluvan Paattu, Poothan and Thira, Kanyar kali, Kothammuriyattam, Kuthiyottam, Kummattikali, Yakshagana, Kakkarissi Nadakam, Porattu Nadakam etc are some of the ritual folklore of Kerala.
Music in Kerala
Classical Songs of Kerala are Karnataka Sangeetham, Sopana Sangeetham and Kathakali Sangeetham.
Pulluvan Pattu, Mappila pattu, Vadakkan pattu, Kessupattu, Vallappattu, Poorakkali pattu, Sarpam pattu, Kutthiyotta pattu, Villadichan pattu, Thottampattu etc are the old ritual musics.
Ashtapadi is written by Jayadeva. Its other name is Geetha Govinda.
Njeralathu Ramappoduval was associated with Sopana Sangeetham.
The renowned Mrudangam Artists of kerala are Palakkad Mani Ayyar and Mavelikkara Krishnankutty nair.
The renowned Nadaswram Vidwan is Thiruvizha Jayasankar.
The Mela Vidwans are Pallavur Appu Marar and Mattannur Sankaran Kutty.
Some of the Muslim Art forms were Oppana, Mappila Paattu, Kolkali, Duff Muttu, Arabana muttu.
Christian Art form is Margam Kali, Chavittu Nadakam and Parichamuttulcali.
Vasthu Vidya Gurukulam is situated at Aranmula. It was started in 1993. It is a government approved training institution for Vasthu Vidya and mural painting.
In 1966, K.C.S. Panicker formed the Cholamandal Artists village, 9 km from Chennai.
Kerala mural paintings depict mythological and legendary stories. It is mainly drawn on the walls of temples and churches.
CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS IN KERALA
Acadamies for Art
Kerala Kalamandalam
Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy
Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy
Kerala Folklore Academy
Kerala Sahitya Academy
Autonomous bodies established to promote malayalam language and literature. Its headquarters is Thrissur. The academy was inaugurated on October 15, 1956 by Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma in Thiruvananthapuram. It was shifted to Thrissur on September 1957.
The first President is Sardar KM Panicker.
The first Secretary is Pala Narayanan Nair.
The publications of Kerala Sahitya Academy are Sahithyalokam, Sahithya Chakravalam and Malayalam Literary Survey (in English).
Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award was given to the winners each year. It was started to give from 1958 onwards to the Malayalam writers for their excellent books of literary merit.
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy
Its location is Thrissur. Its objective is to promote and expand Kerala dance, drama and music to the world and to encourage the cultural unity of the state. It was established on 26 April 1958.
The academy started a cultural centre at Keraleeya Samajam in Bahrain on October 1, 2010.
The Publication of Academy is Keli.
The first chairman is Manku Thampuran and first secretary is P. K. Nambiar.
Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy
It is an Autonomous body established in 1962 at Thrissur Chempukkav.
Its mission is to promote the culture, painting, plastic and visual arts.
The Publication of Academy is Chithravartha.
The first chairman is M Raja Varma Raja.
Kerala Folklore Academy
Its headquarters is Kannur.
It is an Autonomous Corporate body constituted on 28 June 1995.
The institution is engaged in promoting and preserving the traditional art forms of the state.
Its publication is Poli.
The First Chairman is C. Bhargavan Pilla.
Kerala Bhasha Institute
It was established on March 11, 1968.
Its location is Trivandrum, Nalanda.
The publication of institute is Vinjana Kairali.
Its First Director is N.V. Krishna Warrier.
Kerala Kalamandalam
Its location is Cheruthuruty Vallathol Nagar.
It was established in 1930 under the leadership of Vallathol.
It is also the first Deenied University of Kerala.
The first Vice-Chancellor is Dr. K.G. Paulose.
The Publication is Kalamandalam Trimasika.
Kerala State Institute of Children’s Literature
It was established in 1981 under the cultural Affairs Department of Government of Kerala.
The publication of institute is ‘Thaliru’ Magazine.
They publish and popularise books on children's literature in Malayalam language.
Kerala State Chalachitra Academy
It is an autonomous non-profit institution working under the Department of Cultural Affairs.
It was formed in 1998.
Its location is Trivandrum.
It was formed on the basis of the Karant committee report (1970).
School of Drama
Drama study and research centre of Kozhikode University.
Its location is at Aranattukara, Thrissur.
The Founder Director is G Sankarapilla.
Kerala State Library Council
Its location is Trivandrum.
The Publication is Grandhalokam.
Kerala State Film Development Corporation
It is a government owned corporation and is also the first of its kind in India.
Its location is Trivandrum.
It was established in 1975.
The first chairman is P.R.S. Pilla.
The largest Studio Complex in Asia is Chithranjali Film Studio.
It is owned and controlled by Corporation.
Its publication is Cine-Tech.
Manuscript Library
Its location is Karyavattam, Trivandrum.
It is functioning under the control of Kerala University.
Its new name is Oriental Research Institute.
State Institute of Encyclopedic Publications
It is engaged in the publication to the needs of the lay people and also to the professional interests of the specialists.
From 1961 to 1976, Malayalam Encyclopedia functioned as a separate department (Department of Malayalam Encyclopedia) under the Department of Higher Education.
In November 1976, it was reconstituted as an autonomous body called the State Institute of Encyclopedic Publications (SIEP).
In March 1987, the Institute was brought under the control of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
