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| General Info | Costumes | Cuisine | Festivals | Dances | Martial Art | Instruments |
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Area : 38,863 square kilometer (comes to 1.27 per cent of India's land area.) Capital : Thiruvananthapuram Location : Southwest tip of India's main land. Climate : Tropical. Summer : March - June Winter : December - January Monsoon : July - October Time : GMT + 5:30 Currency : Indian Rupee Districts : 14 (Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kannur, Kasargod, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Wayanad) Language : Malayalam Population : 3,18,38,619 (2001 Census; men - 1,42,88,995, women - 1,48,09,523. 3.1 per cent National Population) Population density : 819 per sq km Largest populated district : Malappuram (30,96,330) Lowest populated district : Wayanad (6,72,128) Sex ratio : 1000 men / 1036 women Literacy : 90.2 % (men - 93.62%, women - 86.17) Governor : Shri Sikander Bhakt Chief Minister : Shri A K Antony Religion : Hindus (60%), Christians (20%) & Muslims (20%) Rivers : 44 Longest River : Bharatapuzha (about 374.40 Km) Highest Mountain : Anamudi (2652.3 Metres) Municipalities : 54 Taluks : 63 Panchayats : 991 |
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International Airport : Thiruvananthapuram, Nedumbassery (Kochi), Kozhikode Seaports : Major : Kochi. Minor : Beypore (Kozhikode), Alappuzha, Kollam Major Beaches : Kovalam, Varkala, Fort Kochi, Kappad and Bekal Major Wild Life Sanctuaries : Thekkady (Periyar), Parambikkulam, Wayanad, Silent Valley, Aralm, Peechi-Vazhani, Chimani, Shenduruny, Idukki, Chinnar, Peppara, Neyyar Bird Sanctuary : Thattekad, Kumarakom Major Hill Stations : Ponmudi, Peerumade, Thekkady, Munnar and Wayanad Farm / Cash Crops : Rubber, Coffee, Tea, Spices, Pepper, Cashew, Coconut, Arecanut and rice Exports : Marine, Coir, Handicrafts, Spices, Food and other Products Major Industries : Tourism, Information Technology, Fertilizer, Oil Refining and Power Generation, Ship Buildings, Machine Tools, Electronics, Cables, Rubber |
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| Jubba Mundu | Lungi | Kurta Pyjama | Shirt Pant |
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| Sari / Saree | Churidar / Salwar Kameez | Lehenga Choli | Latcha |
 Kathakali |
Mohiniattam |
Ottan Thullal |
Chavitu Natakam |
Theyyam |
Koodiyattam |
| Thiruvathirakali |
Markkam Kali |
Kolkkali |
Oppana |
Koothu |
Duffmuttu |
| Kavadiyattam |
Kathakali -
The refined, scientific and elaborately defined dance form of Kerala, Kathakali, had its origin in the courts of Kerala kings. A highly synthetic art form combining in it self the rudiments of its earlier forms like Krisnnanattam and Ramanattam in addition to highly scientific dance-drama form, quite novel, but highly classical.
Mohiniattam - Mohiniattam, originated from the Devadasi dance heritage, once prevalent in the temples of Kerala. The 'Mohini', a maiden who exerts desire or steals the heart of an onlooker. The legend is that, Lord Vishnu taking on the guise of a Mohini to enthrall people, both in the churning of the Milk-ocean (Palazhi) and the slaying of Bhasmasura. Vaishnava devotees gave it the name 'Mohiniattam', a solo dance form, graceful like Odisi, with costumes sober and attractive.
Ottan Thullal - A solo performce, due to its mighty mass appeal it is also known as the 'poor mans Kathakali. A single actor wears colourful costumes as in kathakali and recites thullal or dance songs while acting and dancing. Ottamthullal, evolved by Kunjan Nambiar as an alternative to Chakiar kuthu became the most popular folk art presented in Kerala temples. In Ottamthullal, a musician stands behind and gives the lead to the actor, another plays on 'Maddalam' or elongated drum and a third keeps the rhythm with a pair of cymbals. The popularity of Ottamthullal continues undiminished even today.
Chavitu Natakam - A Christian art form of Kerala. Evolved at the turn of the 16th Century AD during the Portuguese colonization and bears definite traces of the European Christian Miracle Play. In this musical drama, the actors wear Greco-Roman costumes and even the stage props bear several foreign influences. In the past, the Chavittunatakom was performed on open stages, though sometimes the interior of a church was also a venue. The actors in addition to the dialogue and songs, stamp the wooden platform with their feet to the tune of music. The language is a colloquial mix of Tamil and Malayalam. Today this art form is almost defunct.
Theyyam - Theyyam, a popular folk dance, with themes not only of Gods, but real life heroes like Thacholi Othenan, unniarcha etc. It has numerous deities, each having their own distinguishing headgear and costumes. The costumes of Theyyam are made out of cutting and painting coconut sheaths in black, white and red patterns, fresh coconut fronds form skirts, fashioning breasts out of dry coconut shells and tying a red cloth around the waist. The facial decorations are intricately designed with enriched symbolism. Theyyam is performed in the courtyard of a house or village temple, as the artist gets ready and the spirit of the deity is evoked during the nighttime. The usual characters in Theyyam are 'Gulikan', 'Darikan', 'Chamundi', 'Nagakali', 'Pottan', 'Theechamundi', 'Vasoorimala', 'Bhadrakali', etc.
Koodiyattam - Koodiyattam is a theatrical presentation, the Chakiar and the Nangiar acts together. Earliest form of dramatic art, which presents full-fledged Sanskrit drama or selected portions, a highly transformed form of Kuthu. In Koodiyattam, the Chakiar performs male and the Nangiar the female charactors. The costumes vary according to the characters, not a popular art form today, performed only in a few temples, Irinjalakkuda, Perumanam, Kottiyur etc. The old kuthambalams remain as architectural relics of a bygone era.
Thiruvathirakali - Thiruvathirakali is a dance performed by women, in order to attain everlasting marital bliss, on Thiruvathira day in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December- January). The dance is a celebration of marital fidelity and the female energy, for this is what brought Kamadeva (the god of love) back to life after he was reduced to ashes by the ire of Lord Siva. The sinuous movements executed by a group of dancers around a nilavilakku, embody 'lasya' or the amorous charm and grace of the feminine. The dance follows a circular, pirouetting pattern accompanied by clapping of the hands and singing. Today, Thiruvathirakali has become a popular dance form for all seasons.
Margam Kali - It is a counterpart of Thiruvathira Kali played by women belonging to the Christian community. The dancers attired in traditional white mundu (dothi), chatta (Jacket), rich jewellery including Mekkamothiram (an ornamental ring worn by the Christian ladies on the upper lobe of the ear, now considered old fashioned). The dancers sing in praise of Jesus Christ to the varying rhythms of drum beating.
Kolkkali - A folk art mainly of the agrarian classes, Kolkkali is a highly rhythmic dance with the dancers wielding short sticks. The rhythm of this dance is set by a harmonious synchronisation of the tapping of the feet to the striking of sticks. The movement is circular and the artists sing as they dance and strike the sticks in unison. Though the dancers break away to form different patterns, they never miss a beat. In Malabar, Kolkkali is more popular among Muslim men.
Oppana - A dance form essential to the wedding entertainment and festivities of the Malabar Muslims. Maidens and young female relatives sing and dance around the bride, clapping their hands. The songs of Mappilappattu, are first sung by the leader and are repeated by the chorus. The themes are often teasing comments and innuendoes about the bride's anticipated nuptial bliss. Oppana is often presented as a stage item today.
Koothu - 'Koothu' is a mono-act in which a single actor, the 'Chakyar', acts the role of all the characters, to the accompaniments of the 'Mizhavu' played by the Nambiar and the cymbals by the Nangiar. The Chakyar expounds puranic stories drawing parallels from contemporary life in order to emphasize a point or relate a moral from the story he narrates
Duff muttu - Duff muttu is a dance form popular among the Muslims of Malabar. Also known as 'Aravanamuttu', it is performed both as a ritual, and a social entertainment during festivals and nuptical ceremonies. Duffmuttu is a group performance with the artistes beating on a quaint round percussion instrument called the 'Duffu'. While the leader of the group sings, the others form the chorus and move in circles. The songs are often tributes to martyrs, heroes and saints. Performed at any time of the day, the dance has no fixed time limit.
