Kerala Folk Dance-Nadodi Nritham

Kerala is land of fascinating and colorful folk dances. There are more than a hundred famous folk dances in Kerala with different themes.The folk dances of Kerala are closely related with life of common man.

Each state is associated with some form of folk and tribal art forms exhibiting its culture. Kerala includes numerous colourful folk dances.Nadodi means tribal people or nomads who dress entirely different from normal people. Nritham means dance. So nadodi nritham is an art form performed in the costume of tribes and villagers.

Nadodi often perform different art items as a part of their celebrations and happiness. They carry some strange instruments as well as equipments. They are not much civilized till now. That’s the reason why, when this folk item is performed on stage, participants wear colourful dresses, big bindi, thick eye brows and heavy make up. They wear glass bangles and anklets with bells.

Bharatanatyam Mudras - Online Learning

1.Pataki 

 Pataki means “Flag”.Pataki is done with all fingers held straight like the stop sign.There should be no gap between the fingers.

2.Tripataaka 

Tripataaka means “three parts of the flag”.In this mudra,all the fingers are held straight and close together like the stop sign except for the ring finger which is bent.

3.Ardhapataaka 

 Ardhapataaka means “half flag”.It is done by bending the little finger after doing the Tripataaka.

4.Kartarimukha 

Kartarimukha mudras is done when the little finger and the ring finger is bent and pressed against the thumb. While the index finger and the middle finger is stretched to show a scissor.

5.Mayura 

The ring finger and the tip of the thumb touch each other fingers are held straight without any gap.

6.Ardhachandra 

In Ardhachandra all the fingers is held straight and together, except the thumb fingerwhich is held apart.It is just like the Pataki gesture, but the thumfinger is held straight and not bent like in Pataka.

7.Araala 

It is dine when the index finger is bent while doing the Pataka mudra. Here the index finger is bent along with the thumb,while the other fingers are held straight.

8.Shukatunda : When the ring finger of the Araala mudra is bent we get Shukatunda Hasta.

9. Mushthi : In simple words it is a closed first position of the palm. When the four fingers are pressed closely against the palm,  while the thumb is held tightly between the palm and the other four fingers. The thumb can also be placed on the four fingers.

10. Shikhara: Here all the fingers are bent and pressed against the palm except the thumb.The thumb is raised and held-erect.

Histroy and Origin of Kathakali

Kathakali Dance of Kerala is the traditional dance drama of Kerala with very colorful characters depicting a story with Kathak hand gestures. 'Kathakali' literally translates into "Story Play" and is one of the world's most famous form of dancing in which a story is being told in the form of a dance.Kathakali is an ancient and traditional dance form of Kerala. The word Kathakali literally means "Story-Play". Kathakali uses elaborate make-ups, costumes and background. Kathakali was originated in the 17th century and has its roots in Hindu mythology.

Origin and History of Kathakali

Popular belief is that Kathakali is emerged from "Krishananattam", the dance drama on the life and activities of Lord Krishna created by the Zamorin of Calicut. Once Kottarakkara Thampuran, the Raja of Kottarakkara who was attracted by Krishnanaattam requested the Zamorin for the loan of a troupe of performers. Due to the political rivalry between the two, Zamorin did not allow this. So Kottarakkara Thampuran created another art form called Ramanattam which was later transformed into Aattakatha. Krishnanaattam was written in Sanskrit, and Raamanaattam was in Malayalam. By the end of 17th century, Attakatha was presented to the world with the title 'Kathakali'. 

Kathakali is thought to have originated from pioneer dance-drama forms - Ramanattam and Krishnanattam. The word "attam" means enactment. These two forms of dance, along with Kathakali, dealt with presentation of the stories of Hindu Gods Rama and Krishna. Kottarakara Thampuran, the ruler of the south Kerala province of Kottarakkara, composed several plays on the Ramayana, which led to the evolution of Kathakali.It originated in the 16th century AD, approximately between 1555 and 1605, and has been improved miraculously over the years. 

The dancers wear large head dresses, and the contours of the face are extended with moulded lime. The extraordinary costumes and make-up serve to raise the participants above the level of mere mortals, so that they may transport the audience to a world of wonders.

Dances of Kerala

Kerala, referred to as "God's Own Country", boasts of a tradition and cultural heritage that trails several years back. Dance in India, is rooted to age-old tradition. This vast sub-continent has given birth to varied forms of dancing, each shaped by the influences of a particular period and environment.

Mohiniyattam 
Mohiniattam is famous as the dance of the celestial enchantress. It is another classical dance form of Kerala, performed by only women and is known for its graceful movements and simple but elegant costumes. In the Mohiniattam performance, Vishnu is portrayed as a celestial enchantress, trying to mesmerize the demons to help the Gods get a full share of ambrosia, which gave them immortality. This is the legend/myth behind Mohiniattam and forms the core of this dance form. Historically, the temple dancers/devdasis performed the Mohiniattam in the temples of Kerala.The noted Malayalam poet Vallathol, who established the Kerala Kalamandalam dance school in 1930, played an important role in popularizing Mohiniattam in the 20th century.

Rlv Anand is famed as one of the leading bharatanatyam,mohiniyattam,kuchipudi dancers in Kerala. Anand has contributed his own concepts to the traditional dance style through his experimentation and innovations in Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam and Kuchipidi. He produced and choreographed several dance dramas in his own style, which are highly appreciated.

Online Kuchipudi Dancers Kerala.........

Kuchipudi is one such unique form of Art which is the tasteful blend of grace and vigour, elevation and sensuality, of control and abandon. With its roots buried in the soil of Andhra Pradesh in India, Kuchipudi was born in a remote Village from which it derived its name. In the early days, the Kuchipudi style of dance was in the form of dance dramas, the main purpose being to inculcate divine ecstasy which invokes immortal bliss and brings one closer to the path of salvation. The Dancer not only merely dances but also acts with gestures as well as words. It takes at least ten years for an ordinary dancer to master this art and be able to express Bhava through eyes and Rhythm through foot work.

Famous Online Classical Dancers Kerala

In the Indian culture, classical dance has a lot of significance. It is not merely meant for entertaining oneself, but it serves as a fabulous way to express the innate feelings of heart. Indian Classical Dance is one of the most comprehensive and oldest dance forms in the world. Most of the development of Indian dance is linked to the 2nd century B.C.  It is one of the best means to get connected to God. 

Online Dance Dlasses in Kerala

Rlv Anand is famed as one of the leading dancers in Kerala. A competent performer, choreographer and teacher, he heads his own dance institution "Yadhukulam Natygriham" at Chalakudy, Guruvayoor and Calicut. Rlv Anand has taken his diploma, post diploma, BA, MA in Bharathanatyam from RLV College, Tripunithara. Anand has contributed his own concepts to the traditional dance style through his experimentation and innovations in Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam and Kuchipidi. He produced and choreographed several dance dramas in his own style, which are highly appreciated.

RLV Contact.....

Rlv Anand is famed as one of the leading dancers in Kerala. A competent performer, choreographer and teacher, he heads his own dance institution "Yadhukulam Natygriham" at Chalakudy, Guruvayoor and Calicut. Rlv Anand has taken his diploma, post diploma, BA, MA in Bharathanatyam from RLV College, Tripunithara. Anand has contributed his own concepts to the traditional dance style through his experimentation and innovations in Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam and Kuchipidi. He produced and choreographed several dance dramas in his own style, which are highly appreciated.

Famous Classical Dancers

Famous Classical Dancers

Folkdances are numerous in number and style, and vary according to the local tradition of the respective state, ethnic or geographic regions. Contemporarydances include refined and experimental fusions of classical, folk and Western forms. Dancing traditions of India have influence not only over the dances in the whole of South Asia, but on the dancing forms of South East Asia as well.

Mohiniyattam Dance Couples

Mohiniyattam Dance Couples

Rlv Anand is famed as one of the leading bharatanatyam,mohiniyattam,kuchipudi dancers in Kerala. Anand has contributed his own concepts to the traditional dance style through his experimentation and innovations in Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam and Kuchipidi. He produced and choreographed several dance dramas in his own style, which are highly appreciated. Some of them are Ramayanam, Mahisasura mardanam, Geetopadesham, many forms of Kuravanji, Panjali vastrakshebam etc...also he has taken the initiative to take some poems written by famous poets and choreograph them. Anand impresses his audience with deep understanding of Bhava and Abhinaya.

Online Kuchipudi Dancers

Online Kuchipudi Dancers

Kuchipudi is a Classical Indian Dance from Andrapradesh India. It is also popular all over South India.Kuchupidi is the name of a village in the Divi Taluka of Krishna District that borders the Bay of Bengal and also the  of the resident Brahmins practicing this traditional dance form, it acquired the present name. The performance usually begins with some stage rites, after which each of the characters come on to the stage and introduces him/herself with a dharavu (a small composition of both song and dance) to introduce the identity, set the mood, of the character in the drama. The drama then begins.

Online Dance Classes

Rlv Anand is the famous classical choreographer in kerala . A competent performer, choreographer and teacher, he heads his own dance institution "Yadhukulam Natygriham" at Chalakudy, Guruvayoor and Calicut.And also he provides online classical dance classes.His wife Jaya Anand is also a famous classical dancer.