Yakshagana Puppetry

Yakshagana Bombeyatta (puppetry) is a popular art form of the State of Karnataka and Kasaragod, the northernmost district of Kerala. The puppet show is a parallel tradition of Yakshagana, the classical dance-drama prevalent in these regions. The puppets, usually made of wood resemble the Yakshagana performers in costumes and ornamentation. The most well known exponent of this art in Kerala is the Sri. Gopalakrishna Yakshagana Bombeyatta Sangha (troupe).

Yakshagana performers wear huge headgears, elaborate facial make-up, colourful costumes and ornaments which together give a superhuman appearance to the character presented. The themes of the plays are taken from the epics, Ramayana and Mahabharatha.

It is the story of slaying ( vadham) of the demon Kharasura by Lord Sree Rama, hero of the epic Ramayana. Lakshmana, Lord Sree Rama's brother insults Kharasura's sister Soorpanakha. Thus Kharasura challenges Lord Sree Rama to a duel and is slain during the fight.

The language used is Kannada, though the troupe performs in Malayalam as well as Tulu (local dialect of south Karnataka). The puppetry is accompanied by the singing of verses and snatches of dialogues. The orchestra includes percussion instruments like chenda, maddalam, jagatta or chengila (cymbols) and chakratala or elathalam (small cymbols).

Arjunanritham :Dance of Arjuna :Arjuna is said to have propitiated goddess Bhadrakaali by a devotional presentation Ayyappan Theeyattu :Ayyappan theeyattu performed at Sree Ayyappa temples is one of the two classifications of the religious ritual art called Theeyattu . Chakyarkoothu : A fine blend of social satire, mime and comedy, the Chakyarkoothu is usually presented in the traditional temple theatre Koothambalam Chuvannathadi in Kathakali :The vesham symbolically represents five classes, Pacha (green) portrays noble protagonists, Kathi (knife) villainous, thadi (beard), Kari (black) represents low characters and Minukku (prettying up) women, sages, brahmins Koodiyattom : A Nangiyar women plays cymbal and occasionally recites the verses. The musical element is very much suppressed in Koodiyattom Kathi Thayambaka : It is a pleasure to watch the revered old man weave magic with his hands moving in perfect synchronisation Kummattikali : mask dance usually performed in the northern districts of Kerala Kalamezhuthupattu : The coloured powders used for the kalam are prepared from natural products only. Kathakali : Kathakali the classical art form of Kerala is a spectacular blend of dance, drama, mime and song and is over 300 year old Kathakali Training :They also have to undergo training in dance steps, body movements, and the mudras or the art of conveying ideas and meanings through hand gestures. Mohiniyattom : The origin of Mohiniyattom is rooted in Hindu mythology. Legends says that when the ocean of milk was churned to extract the elixir of life and immortality, the demons made away with the divine brew Ottanthullal : A satirist, he is the man who brought literary wit and humour within the ken of common man Pavakali : Pavakkathakali was so simple a version of the Kathakali that it was welcomed by the illiterate, rural people for whom 'Kathakali' was inaccessible owing to its complexity. Parichamuttukali : Parichamuttukali is a group dance performed by men bearing swords and shields and follows the movements and steps of Kalarippayattu. Paramparya : Paramparya is a curtain raiser to the treasure trove of the arts and crafts tradition of India. The second annual exhibition was held on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake Parumthattom : The leading musicial instrument accompanying the art form is called Parayan Chenda - a percussion instrument. Patayani : Kadammanitta, Kadalimangalam, Neelamperur and Othara in Pathanamthitta are famous for annual Patayani performances. Thiruvathirakali :Today, Thiruvathirakali has become a popular dance form for all seasons. Yakshaganam :Yakshagana performers wear huge headgears, elaborate facial make-up, colourful costumes and ornaments which together give a superhuman appearance to the character presented.