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Arts & Culture of Kerala
Kerala folklore is unique in its
richness and variety. Folklore in its widest sense embraces traditions, folk
tales, folk songs, folk arts, folk beliefs, taboos and superstions, belief in
omens and magic.
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Folksongs
The
people of Kerala belonging to all castes and communities have their rich
collection of folk songs, which have drawn their themes from religion and
mythology, agricultural operations like sowing, harveting, and incidents of
social life like weddings and the beauties of Kerala landscape.
Vanchipattuakal,
Mappilapattuakal, Pallipattuakal, and Onapattuakal are some of them.
Folk
Arts
Kerala has enriched with its own chart eristic folk arts from very
early days.
Teyyam Tullal of the erstwhile Malabar area, Bhadrakalipattu that
denotes the killing of Darika by Kali, Pamputullal, and Nagakanni connected with
the Naga cult, are famous among them. |
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The Mudiyattom Kali is a kind of folk
dance in which the female participants unlock their hair and engage themselves
in frantic dancing to the accomplishment of folk songs. There are also a variety
of folk arts known by different names as Kumbha Nritham, Arjuna Nritham,
Kummatti, Patayani, etc in different part of Kerla.
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Culture
Among
the people who have enriched Indian Cultural Heritage and helped the cause of
national integration, the people of the Kerala region of South India have a
place of honour.
Kerala culture is in fact, an integral part of Indian culture.
Kerala like the Indian sub continent can claim to have a culture the history of
which runs into the dim recesses of antiquity.
Kerala’s
culture is also a composite and cosmopolitan culture to which several people and
races have made their significant contributions. |
The gradual evolution of
composite and cosmopolitans culture led to the emergence of a spirit of
tolerance and catholicity of outlook, which still persist among the people of
Kerala. Its history unfolds the romantic and fascinating story of a unique
process of cultural synthesis and social assimilation.
In response to every
challenge Kerala has demonstrated through the ages its genius for adaptation and
fusion of old traditions and new values in every sphere of human thought and
endeavour.
The culture of Kerala has persisted through the ages precisely
for the reasons of antiquity, unity, continuity and universality of its nature.
In its widest sense it embraces the highest achievements of the human spirit in
every sphere of life.
Thus, in its totality, it represents the quintessence of
the collective achievements of a people in the fields of religion and
philosophy, |
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language and literature, art and architecture, education and
learning and economic and social organisation. In fact, all through its history
the genius of Kerala has blossomed forth in all its vigour and vitality and has
helped its people to reach the peak of excellence in all their endeavours.
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