Kaikottikali is a folk dance performed during Onam and the festival of Tiruvatira

It is difficult to make a brief survey of Kerala’s cultural heritage   

Kerala dance

We have already referred to Kathakali, which, though based on the traditional natyasatra, reflects the character of the people, their love of the heroic and their fascination with the grotesque. It combines eroticism with devotion –and with terror and violence. Its mudras are elaborate and its make –us has a philosophy behind it. Kathakali costumes are picturesque and, in the representation of female characters, have been influenced by Muslim dress. As a dance form there is a predominance of tandava in it: in no other dance in India is there such a heightened felling of drama. Kathakali goes back to the 17th country and came in the wake of Krishnattam. It was originated by the Raja of Kottarakkara who composed the first attakathas (stories for dance). Many have contributed to the literature of Kathakali, a notable poet being Unnayi Variyar.

Kaikottikali is a folk dance performed during Onam and the festival of Tiruvatira (December –January). Young women in traditional dress take part in it to the accompaniment of song and the clapping of hands.