Dance & Music in Kerala

Performing arts like dance, ballet, and opera are essential parts of Kerala’s composite culture. These performing art forms offer glimpse of the visual expression of the performer accompanied by the stunning music at backdrop. The rhythmic hand clapping and ishal vocalizations while group dancing are really heart-touching.

The crowing jewels of Kerala's performing arts are Koodiyattam and Kathakali. Koodiyattam, the one thousand year old classical dance drama is regarded as one of the earliest traditions in theatre across the world. It is a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage as described by the UNESCO. Although Koodiyattam is the oldest, Kerala perhaps owes its transnational fame to Kathakali, the classical dance drama combining facets of ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime.

Kerala is also famous for its several tribal and folk art forms; also important are various performance genres that are based on Islam or Christianity. One such performing art form is Oppana which is popular among Keralite Muslims. It is a group dance accompanied by the beat of rhythmic hand clapping and Ishal vocalizations.

Kerala’s musical culture has much resemblance with the Karnatic music of South India and existed from ancient time. Kerala with its rich traditional, vocal and instrumental music has enriched the cultural heritages of India. The various forms of music in Kerala include Mappila Pattukal, Christian Songs, Instrumental Music, Swathi Thirunal Kritis, Sopana Sangeetham, and Folk Music etc. Apart from these, there are lot of Christian songs that describe the life and deeds of St. Thomas.