ICH NGO Network

- KANYARKALI - Kanyarkali is a special kind of folk dance ritual performance in village temples in Chittur region and Alathur region in Palakkad district of Kerala State of India. The event is basically a part of village’s “Vishu” celebrations and usually succeeds the Village Fair or Vela and is performed during April and May every year. The Kanyarkali are fast-moving, militant dances attuned to rhythmic devotional folk songs by the help of traditional instruments (Drums and cymbals). Kanyarkali is said to be originated from the pursuit of martial arts when the region was under threat of attack from nearby Konganadu. Kannyarkali arose when dance and comedy were added to the martial training sessions. The dances may in form of “Vattakali” (a circular movement in praise of Goddess) or folk theatre style. Kanyarkali is a performance that incorporates the essence of dance, drama, music, song, and martial skills. This art form is always performed by men at temples. Women are sometimes represented by cross-dressing men who imitate the body language and way of speaking of women. There is a strict regimen of Kanyarkali folk art which are handed down for generations and learned by the young boys and men from elderly proponents called Teacher (Guru). All the learning is handed down by practice only and no written records are kept of these contents and practice of art forms. There is a gradual erosion of this rich art form as older generations wither away without fully handing over all the lessons of this art form. If no attempts are made to capture these art forms in writing, there is every likelihood that this art form may die out in due course.

● Event Summary

Title	KANYARVATTAM - 2019
Place	INDIA
Start Date	2019-04-26	End Date	2019-04-27