The Thullal:
 Ottam Thullal was first introduced by one of the leading poets of Malayalam named Kunjan Nambiar. The dancer is dressed in colourful costumes, painted face and headgear. This art form is performed during Temple festivals. Thullal is modified form of Chakiar Koothu, which is also a temple art performed during festivals. The Chakiars used to tense people present in the audience while performing the Koothu. The Nambiars used to play ‘Mizhavu’ or Drum during Koothu. Kunjan Nambiar was an expert Mizhavu player. Once during Koothu Nambiar happened to fall asleep and the Cahkiar mde fun of him in the presence of the audience.
The nest night when the Chakiar resumed his serial Koothu, on th opposite side of the Temple ground a new stage was set up and a new art form which was unknown to the audience, so people rushed  there to witness this new and funny art. Thus Kunchan Nambiar introduced his new invention. This was the Birth of a new form of art consisting of fast and rhythmic movements.
Ottam Thullal was first introduced by one of the leading poets of Malayalam named Kunjan Nambiar. The dancer is dressed in colourful costumes, painted face and headgear. This art form is performed during Temple festivals.

The Mudiyettu,:
This Ritual art is performed in Devi Temples of Central Kerala. It represents the encounter between goddess Bhadrakali and the demon Daruka. Lord Brahma had given Daruka boon that he would not be killed easily. Each drop of blood that fell from his body would give rise to another Daruaka. Thus his opponent would be finally defeated. But the mighty Bhadrakali did not allow his blood to spill. He was destroyed by the fierce goddess wearing garlands of human skulls and bones. The goddess lifted him up and severed his head, licked every drop of blood that fell from his body. Mudiyettu represents the fight between good and evil and the final victory of good.

TheTheyyam:
Theyyam or Kaliyattom is performed in the Temples of Malabar. A section of this art is known as Thira which represents lives of great heroes. It is usually performed by people of the backward community  and is supposed to be nine centuries old. The performer after wearing a silk cloth round the waist and a crown on his head stands with devotion in front of the Devi Temple and recites  ‘thottam’ describing the origin of the Theyyam he is about to perform. The Theyyam gets possessed and performs a rhythmic dance called urayal when the deity enters the body of the Theyyam.
The next ritual is called  the ‘Uriyattu Kalapana’, when the devotees explain their problems to the Theyyam and in return the Theyyam explains how these difficulties may be overcome. Devotees offer money to the Theyyam. Different types of instruments like Drum, symbols etc are used a background music for the dance. It is performed at night and torches made of dried coconut leaves are used to light up the place.The Theyyam wears heavy makeup, masks, head gear bangles etc. The Potten and Gulikan Theyyams wear heavy facial make up and masks. They also use weapons such as swords, bows and arrows in addition to the colourful costumes.

The Mohiniyattam:
This dance form is popular in Kerala. In the beginning Mohiniyattam performed usually in Temples, exclusively by ladies. It is very graceful and elegant dance from which consists of mudras, expressions and rhythmic steps. The lyrics and slokas were compared by Maharaja Swathy Thirunal, Irayimman Thampi and such other great poets, representing various types of emotions. Beatifully dressed Devadasi girls devoted to the Lord used to perform this dance form in Temples. Now of course it has became popular and is performed on the stage to the accompaniment of drums, violin and other instruments. The music in the Sopanam  style and the dancers are dressed in traditional white. Bharata  Munis Mudras and Abhinaya are strictly followed.

The Thiruvathirakali:
 It is a celebration of the Birthday of Lord Siva in the Malayalam month of ‘Dhanu’ the astral day of Thiruvathira. Goddess Parvathy  is supposed to have danced with her companions on this auspicious day. So even to this day the women of Kerala, in groups of sixteen or twenty dance round a lamp or floral decoration to celebrate the Lord’s Birthday. The dance is accompanied by the Thiruvathira Pattu or song. There is another form of  Thiruvathira Kali called Kummi. These who participate in the dance stand in a circle and move attractively, clapping their hands.

The Oppana:
It is a particular type of group song and dance performed during a Muslim marriage. This social entertainment is prevalent particularly in the Districts of Malapuram, Calicut and Kannur. It is usually performed by ladies. This song is said to be 600 years old. On the wedding eve the bride is made to sit in the centre, dressed in all her finery and her friends and relatives stand all round her clapping their hands, singing and dancing. Harmonium and Tabla are some of the Instruments used while singing. It is usually performed during night and the duration of the performance depends upon the length of the song.

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