Keralam Artists

Keralam's artists have given India some of its most striking dance-dramas, its best-loved film songs and a painter who changed how Indians pictured their gods.

Classical dance and theatre

Kathakali, with its painted faces and huge costumes, Mohiniyattam, the graceful dance of women, and Koodiyattam, Sanskrit theatre recognised by UNESCO, are taught at Keralam Kalamandalam, founded by the poet Vallathol Narayana Menon in 1930. Theyyam, the ritual dance of north Keralam, and Ottan Thullal are performed at temple festivals.

Music

K. J. Yesudas, born in Fort Kochi, and K. S. Chithra have sung thousands of songs in Malayalam and other Indian languages. Keralam also has its own temple percussion, the chenda melam and panchavadyam.

Painting

Raja Ravi Varma of Kilimanoor painted the gods and heroines of the epics in a realistic style, and his prints hung in homes across India. Keralam's temple murals are another old tradition.

Cinema

Adoor Gopalakrishnan is one of India's most honoured film directors, and Mammootty and Mohanlal have acted in hundreds of Malayalam films.

Sources

• Keralam Tourism: Government of Keralam
• Keralam Sangeetha Nataka Akademi: Government of Keralam
• Keralam Lalithakala Akademi: Government of Keralam
• Sangeet Natak Akademi: India's national academy of music, dance and drama (Ministry of Culture)