Kolakali :
Kolkali:is a group dance form of the farming community in Kerala. Twelve to twenty four dancers move rhythmically in a circle around the ceremonial lamp, tapping the two feet long wooden sticks held in their hands

Kalampattu (Kalamezhuthu pattu) is a folk art form that belongs to the northern regions of Kerala. This art form, which is over 600 years old is performed by a group of five to fifteen people in Bhadrakali and Ayyappa temples. The ritual is performed around the kolam - an elaborate picture, usually of Bhadrakali, drawn on the floor, using five colours. The performance in the light of temple torches lasts through the night. The singers are neatly dressed with women wearing their hair on the side of the head. A series of songs (kalampattu) are sung to the accompaniment of nanthuni and elathalam.

Cherumarkali is a harvest dance in which the dancers, both men and women move in a swift rhythm, linked in a back lock or holding arms. The costumes are in striking red and white. Chakyarkoothu also called Koothu is one of the oldest classical theatre arts of Kerala. The solo dance is usually presented in the Koothambalam of temples to the accompaniment of the mizhavu and elathalam. The performance begins with an invocation to the presiding deity of the temple. The narration is enlivened with the thandava dance movements, gestures and facial expressions according to the Natya Sastra. Koothu is distinct for its comic element, which adds to its dramatic character. Themes are usually from the epics. The costume is colourful and bizarre with a strange headgear

Thullal is a modification of the Koothu. It is characterised by simplicity of presentation, wit and humour. This dance form was originated by Kunjan Nambiar, one of the leading poets of Malayalam. The solo performance is marked by fast rhythmic movements. The dancer himself sings the lead to the accompaniment of the maddalam and elethalam. Thullal is classified into three - Ottanthullal, Seethankam thullal and Parayanthullal - based on the metre and rhythm of the songs and the distinctions in costume and dance. As most other art forms of Kerala, Thullal also has colourful costumes, with elaborate headgears and paintings of the face. And is usually presented during temple festivals

Ottan Thullal is known as the poor man's Kathakali because of its ready mass appeal. It is combined with the humorous elements of Koothu and an element of Kathakali. In Ottan Thullal, the symbols and gestures are same as those of Kathakali.

Ottan Thullal is a solo dance form created 400 years ago by Kalakath Kunjan Nambiar. The basic element of Ottan Thullal is satire, through which Nambiar set about correcting the evils that prevailed in the society of his time. To Nambiar, it was a medium to bring out the social conditions of his time. The distinctions of class, and the weakness, the whims and fancies of the rich and the great were presented in a mock- heroic form.

Theyyam :
Theyyam is one of the most outstanding ancient dance form of Kerala. It has its origin in the northern parts of the state. It is a very fascinating ritual practised for centuries by the tribal people and the villagers of Northern Kerala. This folk art form is also called Thirayattam, because every thira or village performed this ritualistic art at the village temple. The Theyyam or Kolam (a form or shape), represents a mythological, divine or heroic character. There are over 350 Theyyams in northern Kerala.

It is a dance form glorifying the Theyyam, the local deity, who is believed to bless and arbitrate between the farmers and their landlords. This primitive ritualistic art demands long hours of preparation before the performance. The bizarre head dresses, costumes and body painting and trance like performances

are very extraordinary. Each one has a distinguishing headgear and costume made out of natural materials like leaves and bark. Musical accompaniments are chenda and veekuchenda (drums), elathalam and kuzhal (horn). Theyyam is always performed by men. Female roles are also enacted by men wearing suitable makeup and colourful costumes.

Koodiyattam :
Koodiyattam is perhaps the oldest dance drama form still in existence in India. Koodiyattam literally means dancing together. Based on the Sanskrit text, a performance of this art form may last from a few days to a few weeks.

The survival of this age-old Sanskrit theatre against all odds owes to the Chaliyar community. Deprived of the right for the Vedas, they are a caste intermediate between Brahmins and Nairs by status. Their principal vocation has been natya (the theatrical art). Koodiyattam can claim an antiquity of 2000 years. Some references to this art form can be seen in the treatises of the second century Chilapathikaram.

Krishnanattam, as the name suggests, originated as a votive offering to Sree Krishna. It is performed in group and is presented across eight nights. The story is based on the Sanskrit text, Krishna Geetha. The charm of this classical art form is in the synchronised grace of movement of the entire group. The costume and makeup of Krishnanattam bear traces of resemblance to Kathakali and folk arts like Thiyattam, Mudiyettu and Theyyam. Musical instruments used are maddalam, elathalam and chengila. Krishnanattam is most commonly performed in the Guruvayoor temple.