Kerala

Cuisine

Traditional folk dances are of great variety. One of the most charming is the Kummi, where the rhythm of the song and steps begins in slow beats and gets exciting acceleration as well as complication. 

Another favourite form is the Tiruvathira dance by maidens in a circle which revolves with steps alternating with the palms of each maiden meet those of a girl next her in rhythmic claps. A narrative song is also sung by the dancers as they go round. The cultural level has always been fairly high in the middle and upper classes and women fully participate in it. In Kerala, there is a unique phenomenon of a continuous escalation of folk traditions. The Tiruvathira celebration must have begun as a simple folk song and dance. But later narrative poems of classical quality were written for such dances. One of the best example is the poem on the story of Shakuntala written for this dance by Machatt Illyat in the first half of the nineteenth century.

Among the performing arts of Christians, Margamkali deserves  special mention. It is a group dance developed by the Syrian Christians of Kerala. The word 'Margam' means path, way, religion or creed. The real source of inspiration for Margamkali was Kalaripayattu which was very popular when the Christian community had developed the form. The art was meant for the propagation of Christian religious ideas. The form of the art was the result of direct inspiration from the indigenous culture. The dancers play in a circle around a lighted oil lamp while singing themselves. There are no accompanying instruments. The leader of the troupe or tutor known as 'Asan' leads the song and the group repeats the same and dances. The language used in the songs of Margamkali reveals its relation with old Tamil.

Muslim Kolkali is similar to the Kolkali practiced by the Christians and Harijans. It is a group dance in a circle with short sticks in the hands of the dancers with which they make the rhythm by beating them. The vibrant steps are accompanied by the vocal music consisting of meaningless syllables followed by songs. The dance goes from slow to a fast tempo creating an interesting climax. There are diverse choreographic patterns in the dance. Males only participate in this dance and they require basic martial training.

Oppana and Aravanmuttu are the popular forms of entertainment among Muslims. Oppana is a form accompanied by clapping of hands. Both men and women participate in it. In marriages, the women move in a circle and receive the bride while men stand aside singing songs and receive the bridegroom. Aravana is a dance, which the Muslims of Kerala had learned from the Arabs. Being an Arabic dance, the music that accompanies it also Arabic. The rhythm is played on an instrument called daf or tap, a round percussion instrument with one side covered with hide.

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