A group - dance of the Maplahs of Malabar. The performers form two rows of ten to twenty. They beat on the dappu which each dancer holds in his left hand and dance with exquisitely symmetrical swayings of the body and timing of dappu.

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. The accompanying music gradually rises in pitch and the dance reaches its climax .Sometimes it is performed on a specially constructed wooden stage .Thus the name thattinmelkali.

This is very similar to kolkali and is the powerful folk-dance of the Muslims of the Malabar. Melodious Moplah songs are sung as the dances are performed. Small bells are attached to the ends of the sticks which the dancers hold in their hands.

An extremely vigorous ring - dance of the Vattuvar community. Both men and women participate in the dance. Twelve different types of 'steps' are executed. The beauty of the intricate footwork is heightened by the tinkling of anklets and bells and also by the rhythmic clapping of hand. The whirling movements become faster as the dancing reaches a climax. The dance is also called chuvadukali or chavittukali.

Also known as marakkalattom, this is a still-dance performed in connection with temple festivals. Theme songs are sung in which the fight of the goddess Durga on stilts against the Asuras who attacked her in the guise of snakes, scorpions etc., are portrayed. The rhythm is kept by percussion instruments.

A folk dance prevalent among the Thiyyas of Malabarm, usually performed in Bhagavathy temples as a ritual offering during the month of Meenam (March - April ). Poorakkali requires specially trained and highly experienced dancers quite thorough with all the techniques and feat of Kalaripayattu, a system of physical exercise formerly vogue in Kerala. Standing round the traditional lamp, the performers dance in eighteen different stages and rhythm, each phase being called a Niram

This is ritual dance propitiating the goddess Kali. Small temporary shrines are constructed and variously decorated. A branch of the Pala tree is taken round the temple by about 10 to 12 person who dance all the way to the rhythm set by percussion instruments and to the vociferous shouting and chanting of the accompanying crowd. This part of the dance is called Pala Piditham. The branch is then installed in the centre of the shrine as the deity and Pooja is performed by the village leader. The pooja consist of offerings to the accompaniment of dancing round the deity. Then a person dances round the deity with burning torches. This is followed by ten to twelve persons again dancing round the deity with burning torches. This is followed by ten to twelve persons again dancing round with canes in their hands. After this, songs are sung glorifying the victory of Kali over Darika. The last part of the dance is velichapad thullal.

This is a dance prevalent among the Malavans of North Kerala. Models of oxen are made up with leaves and twigs, and carried on shoulders behind which numerous dancers with crude facial marks and skirts made of tender fronds of coconut, dance in exotic jubilance to the accompaniment of instruments like chenda and kinni (a bronze plate). ( NEXT PAGE.........)