Culture of Kerala
[3] Modern Kerala society took shape owing to migrations from different parts of India and abroad throughout Classical Antiquity.
Meanwhile, koothu is a more light-hearted performance mode, akin to modern stand-up comedy; an ancient art originally confined to temple sanctuaries, it was later popularized by Mani Madhava Chakyar.
This vibrant ritualistic annual performing art form enacted in courtyards of "Kaavukal"(sacred groves) and village shrine.
[citation needed] Margam Kali is a round group dance of Kerala practiced by Saint Thomas Christians.
Thus, more contemporary forms – including those heavily based on the use of often risqué and politically incorrect mimicry and parody – have gained considerable mass appeal in recent years.
In recent decades, Malayalam cinema, yet another mode of widely popular artistic expression, have provided a distinct and indigenous Keralite alternative to both Bollywood and Hollywood.
[17][18] Additionally, Kerala has its own native music system, sopanam, which is a lugubrious and step-by-step rendition of raga-based songs.
[27][29] Kunchan Nambiar, a Palakkad-based poet also significantly influenced the growth of modern Malayalam literature in its early form, through a new literary branch called Thullal.
[27][32] The Triumvirate of poets (Kavithrayam: Kumaran Asan, Vallathol Narayana Menon and Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer) are recognized for moving keralian poetry away from archaic sophistry and metaphysics and towards a more lyrical mode.
Later, such contemporary writers as Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy (whose 1996 semi-autobiographical bestseller The God of Small Things is set in the Kottayam town of Ayemenem) have garnered international recognition.
The contributions from Thakazhi Sivashankara Pillai, Vaikom Muhammed Basheer P. Kesavadev, Uroob, OV Vijayan, T Padmanabhan, Sethu, Perumbadavam Sreedharan, Kovilan, M. Mukundan, Kakkanadan, Anand and Paul Zacharia, have been remarkable.
Significant contributions from poets and songwriters such as Vayalar Rama Varma, P. Bhaskaran and ONV Kurup have influenced contemporary literature.
Appan, Narendra Prasad and M. Leelavathy have added value by providing critical analysis of the books written during the recent past.
The poets like Moyinkutty Vaidyar and Pulikkottil Hyder have made notable contributions to the Mappila songs, which is a genre of the Arabi Malayalam literature.
Devotional folk arts, such as theyyam, thirayattam, poothamthira, kanyarkali, and kummatti, are performed to propitiate a particular God or Goddess.
Magical folk arts seek to win general prosperity for a community or exorcise evil spirits or to beget children.
Many Keralites nostalgically recall their younger days which they spent debating politics in "chaya kadas" (Local Tea Vending Places).
[citation needed] Kerala has its own indigenous form of martial art, Kalarippayattu, derived from the words kalari ("place", "threshing floor", or "battlefield") and payattu ("exercise" or "practice").
After some two centuries of suppression by British colonial authorities, it is now experiencing strong comeback among Keralites while also steadily gaining worldwide attention.
Other popular ritual arts include theyyam and poorakkali, which originate from northern Malabar, the northernmost part of Kerala.
[57] In modern times, traditional ritual and martial arts been largely supplanted by more popular sports such as cricket, kabaddi, soccer, badminton, and others.
Some cultural elements in Onam are Vallam Kali, Pulikkali, Pookkalam, Onatthappan, Thumbi Thullal, Onavillu, Kazhchakkula, Onapottan, and Atthachamayame.
[citation needed] During the festival, the 'Onam Sadhya' (Onam Feast) is held, with dishes served on banana leaves, and celebrants don 'Onam Kodi' (new dress for the special occasion).
In the Malabar, distinct art form called Theyyam attract tourists, and mini carnivals are also held along with temple festivals.
