The Thullal Dance is one of the popular dances in Kerala. The dance forms of Kerala bear the legacy of the traditional art and craft of Kerala.
One of the classical performing arts of Kerala, the Thullal dance of Kerala, is worth a watch on your Kerala tour. Thullal is a solo dance in which the dancer is supported by two musicians, one playing the maddalam and the other, small cymbals.
Where is Thullal Dance Kerala performed?
The dance is performed in the compound of a temple or the courtyard of a house, as no formal stage is used for the performance.
How is Thullal Dance Kerala enacted?
The dancer sings a verse that his musical assistant repeats. The dancer brings out the meaning of the verses through facial expressions, hand gestures, and bodily postures. He keeps on shifting from the role of the narrator to that of the actor with incredible artistic effect.
History of Thullal Dance, Kerala
Thullal is also a genre of poetry in Malayalam, which supposedly inspired the songs for Thullal dance. Throughout the two-hour gripping performance, the dance element predominates over the music. The songs are based on the classical principles of Natya Shastra, a treatise on art dating back to the 2nd century BC. The dancer performs vigorous steps and rhythmic body movements to make the dance lively. Through the dance, they express emotions pertaining mainly to courage, humor, pathos, anger, and devotion.
Classification of Thullal Dance in Kerala
According to the rhythm and meter of the songs, Thullal is divided into three groups. Their names are “Seethankan Thullal,” “Ottan Thullal,” and “Parayan Thullal.” Thullal dances and costumes come in a variety of styles.
Seethankan Thullal
- One of the three main thullal forms is this one. The performance of Seethankan Thullal is done at a very slow pace. It gives gestures greater weight than vocal actions. Midnight is typically when Seethankan Thullal is performed. This art form should only be performed by a minimum of three people, two of whom should play musical instruments, and one should set up the performance. The performer will be decked out in a unique outfit. On their faces, they daub yellow-colored powder. The meter employed in this dancing style is typically kakali.
Ottan Thullal
- The performer in Ottan Thullal is accompanied by a mridangam or an idakka (drum and cymbal). A solitary performer in this kind of Thullal wears colorful clothing and green makeup on his face (decorated with a red and white band along with other wooden ornaments). Thullal lyrics are recited while the performer moves and dances. These days, an ensemble cast and a single female actor perform Ottan thullal. In Malayalam, Ottan thullal is frequently performed. The local audience seemed pleased.
Thullal Parayan
- In the morning is when this kind of Thullal is done. This art style makes use of the Sanskrit meter Mallika. The Parayan Thullal is regarded as having the slowest tempo of the three types of thullal.
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