Kerala Performing Arts: Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam, Thullal, Chavittu Natakam

Kerala’s performing arts are heavily tested in Kerala PSC exams. Questions cover origins, UNESCO recognition, key features, and associated personalities. Master the tables below for quick recall.

1. Classical Art Forms of Kerala

Art Form	Type	Origin Period	Key Feature	UNESCO Status
Koodiyattam	Sanskrit drama	2,000+ years old	Oldest surviving form of Sanskrit theatre in the world	UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (2001) — first from India
Kathakali	Dance-drama	17th century	Elaborate costumes, facial makeup (Vesham), hand gestures (Mudras)	—
Mohiniyattam	Classical dance	16th-17th century	Graceful feminine dance; “Dance of the Enchantress”	One of 8 classical dances of India recognised by Sangeet Natak Akademi
Chakyar Koothu	Solo performance art	Ancient	Performed by Chakyar community; satirical narration from Puranas	Part of Koodiyattam tradition
Nangiarkoothu	Solo female performance	Ancient	Performed by Nangiar (wife of Chakyar); stories from Srimad Bhagavatam	Part of Koodiyattam tradition

2. Kathakali — Detailed

Feature	Detail
Meaning	Katha (story) + Kali (play/performance)
Origin	17th century Kerala; evolved from Ramanattam (created by Kottarakkara Thampuran)
Kottarakkara Thampuran	Credited as the father/founder of Kathakali
Ramanattam	Predecessor of Kathakali; based on Ramayana; created as alternative to Krishnanattam
Krishnanattam	Created by Manaveda Raja of Zamorin dynasty (Kozhikode); based on Krishna’s life
Themes	Primarily from Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Puranas
Attakatha	The story/text performed in Kathakali; written in Manipravalam
Performance time	Traditionally dusk to dawn (all-night performance)
Language of songs	Manipravalam (mix of Malayalam and Sanskrit)

Kathakali Vesham (Makeup/Characters)

Vesham	Colour	Character Type	Example
Pacha (Green)	Green face	Noble heroes, gods	Krishna, Rama, Arjuna
Kathi (Knife)	Green with red marks on cheeks	Anti-heroes with some nobility	Ravana, Duryodhana
Thadi (Beard) — Vella Thadi	White beard	Elevated characters	Hanuman
Thadi — Chuvanna Thadi	Red beard	Evil, cruel characters	Dushasana, Bali
Thadi — Karutha Thadi	Black beard	Primitive/forest dwellers	Hunters, tribal characters
Kari (Black)	Black face	Demonesses	Surpanakha, Simhika
Minukku (Polished)	Bright yellowish	Women, sages, Brahmins	Sita, Draupadi, sages

Kathakali Mudras (Hand Gestures)

Fact	Detail
Total basic hand gestures	24 mudras (Hastalakshana Deepika text)
Combined mudras	576 combinations possible (24 x 24)
Purpose	Express characters, emotions, objects, and actions without spoken dialogue by dancer

3. Mohiniyattam

Feature	Detail
Meaning	Dance of Mohini (enchantress)
Style	Lasya (graceful, feminine) — as opposed to Tandava (vigorous)
Costume	White and gold Kerala saree (kasavu mundu), hair in side bun with jasmine
Movements	Swaying body movements resembling swaying of palms and paddy fields
Music	Sopana Sangeetham (temple music tradition of Kerala)
Language of songs	Manipravalam
Revived by	Vallathol Narayana Menon (founder of Kerala Kalamandalam, 1930)
Classical dance recognition	One of 8 classical dances recognised by Sangeet Natak Akademi
Mentioned by	Mazhamangalam Narayanan Nambudiri (Vyavaharamala, 16th century) — earliest reference

4. Koodiyattam

Feature	Detail
Meaning	”Combined acting” (Koodi = combined, Attam = acting)
Language	Sanskrit (performed in Kerala temples)
UNESCO	Proclaimed “Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” in 2001 — first Indian art form
Performers	Chakyar (male actors) and Nangiar (female actors) communities
Instrument	Mizhavu (large copper drum) — played by Nambiar community
Venue	Koothambalam (special theatre inside temples)
Texts performed	Sanskrit plays of Bhasa, Kalidasa, Harsha, Kulasekhara Varman
Duration	A single act can take many days to perform
Key exponent	Mani Madhava Chakyar (revived and popularised Koodiyattam; took it outside temples)

5. Thullal

Feature	Detail
Created by	Kunchan Nambiar (18th century)
Origin	Created as a popular alternative to elitist Chakyar Koothu
Language	Malayalam (accessible to common people)
Style	Solo performance with song, dance, and humour
Three types	Ottan Thullal, Seethankan Thullal, Parayan Thullal

Three Types of Thullal

Type	Tempo	Costume	Popularity
Ottan Thullal	Fast, lively	Green makeup and costume	Most popular of the three
Seethankan Thullal	Medium	Elaborate makeup similar to Kathakali	Less common
Parayan Thullal	Slow	Simple costume	Least common

6. Chavittu Natakam

Feature	Detail
Meaning	”Stamping drama” (Chavittu = stamping, Natakam = drama)
Origin	16th century; Latin Christian community of Cochin (influenced by Portuguese missionaries)
Themes	Biblical stories and European legends (Charlemagne, St. George)
Style	Colourful costumes, elaborate stage, vigorous stamping, sung dialogue
Region	Primarily Cochin (Kochi), Alappuzha, Kollam
Unique feature	Blend of European theatrical tradition with Kerala folk elements
Famous play	Karalman Charitham (Story of Charlemagne)

7. Other Important Kerala Art Forms

Art Form	Type	Key Feature
Theyyam	Ritual dance	North Kerala (Kannur, Kasaragod); performer becomes the deity; 400+ varieties
Padayani	Ritual art	Central Travancore; Kolam (masks) and Thappumelam (percussion)
Oppana	Folk dance	Muslim community; bridal celebration dance
Thiruvathira	Folk dance	Women’s group dance performed during Thiruvathira festival (Dhanu month)
Margam Kali	Folk dance	Syrian Christian community; performed during weddings
Kolkali	Folk dance	Rhythmic dance with sticks
Pulikali	Folk art	Tiger dance during Onam in Thrissur
Velakali	Martial art form	Mock combat performance at Ambalapuzha temple

8. Kerala Kalamandalam

Fact	Detail
Founded	1930
Founder	Vallathol Narayana Menon (poet, one of Triumvirate of Malayalam poetry)
Location	Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur district
Purpose	Revive and promote traditional Kerala art forms
Deemed University	Granted deemed university status in 2006
Teaches	Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam, Thullal, Panchavadyam, etc.

9. PSC Quick Revision — One-Liners

• Koodiyattam: first Indian art form on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list (2001)
• Kathakali evolved from Ramanattam, created by Kottarakkara Thampuran
• Krishnanattam was created by Manaveda Raja of Zamorin dynasty
• Kathakali has 24 basic mudras with 576 combinations
• Pacha Vesham (green) = noble heroes in Kathakali
• Mohiniyattam revived by Vallathol Narayana Menon (Kerala Kalamandalam)
• Kunchan Nambiar created Thullal (3 types: Ottan, Seethankan, Parayan)
• Chavittu Natakam originated in Latin Christian community of Cochin
• Theyyam is performed in North Kerala (Kannur, Kasaragod)
• Kerala Kalamandalam founded in 1930 at Cheruthuruthy
• Mizhavu is the drum used in Koodiyattam, played by Nambiar community
• Mani Madhava Chakyar revived Koodiyattam