Text by: Fathima Abdul Kader    Photos: Various Sources

Kathakali

With a history that traces back to 1st millennium CE, Kathakali is a story play art genre with elaborate makeup and costumes. The characters in the play are signified by their distinctive attire and the varying colors signify character traits. Red, green, white, gold, multiple layers and ruffles are the common elements of the costumes and they serve the purpose of raising the actor-dancers to a level of magnificence that will effectively transport the audience to a world of wonders.

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Kathakali Scarf

Theyyam

The ritual dance with roots in northern Kerala has over 400 varieties and incorporates dance, mime, and music. It plays homage to the tribal culture of hero and ancestral worship. Theyyam or Kaliyattam is often given a daunting image due to the dramatically painted face and the crazed frenzy that the performers attain at the height of their performance. Tier joined skirts, metallic studs, and accents, predominantly red face makeup, as well as highly structured headdresses, are the common elements across different forms of Theyyam.

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Kummattikali

While most ritualistic art involves face painting, Kummati Kali is a colorful mask dance performed around the time of Onam. The festive performance takes place on the roads and the performers are traditionally covered in sprigs of “kummatti pullu” or wear garbs of dry leaves and grass. The wooden masks worn by the performers are of mythological significance and are often handed down through the generations. The look is often supplemented with floral garlands and even pom pom garlands.

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Puli Kali

The most renowned recreational folk art from Kerala, Pulikali is performed on the fourth day of Onam and revolve around the theme of tiger hunting. Hundreds of men who are trained in pulikali spends hours painting their body in shades of yellow, black and orange, don golden shorts, wear bells around their hips and put on fur trimmed tiger masks prior to their performance. The biggest pulikali event in the state happens in Thrissur where it originated from.

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