Folk Dances of Kerala reflect the temperaments and moods of the native people. Kerala has a rich variety of folk dances. There are around 50 popular folk dances in the state. Religious influence is explicitly visible in the dances which are performed during harvests, sowing of seeds, festivals, etc. Most of the folk dances of Kerala are accompanied by songs which are sung by the dancers themselves or occasionally by a group of musicians. The costumes and ornaments of these folk dances differ with places.Some of the popular Folk Dances of Kerala are as follows:
Kakkarissi Kali
Kakkarissi Kali is a group dance which is prevalent among the Kuravas of Thiruvananthapuram district. It also contains wild beatings of primitive drums like Para, Veekkan, Chenda, etc.
Dappu KaliThis dance is named as Dappu Kali because ‘dappu’, a kind of musical instrument, is used in the dance. It is a group-dance of the Moplahs of Malabar.
Sarpam Thullal
Sarpam Thullal, a ritual folk dance of Kerala is done to appease the snake God in the temples. Many ancient families in Kerala have Kavus, which are the special snake shrines, whom they worship regularly, on various occasions.
Kaavadiyattom
Kaavadiyattom is mainly performed as an offering in temples of Lord Subrahmaniam. For performance, a number of dancers gather in temple, dressed in yellow or rose colour costumes. They stand in a row and dance with the rhythmic beatings of instruments like Udukku, Chenda and even Nadaswaram.
Kolkkali
This is a mixed dance in which both men and women participate. The performers move in a circle, striking small sticks and keeping rhythm with special steps. The circle expands and contracts as the dance progress.
Bhadrakali Thullal
This is a devotional offering of Pulayas and this is the only community who performs this ritual, for Goddess Bhadrakali.
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