PROJECT PROPOSAL

TITLED

Dance

& Music Forms of

Kerala

SUBMITTED BY

: VINOD SHARMA

ENROLMENT NO. :

125668197

PTS - 04

SUBMITTED TO:
PROGRAMME COORDINATOR (TOURISM STUDIES),
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE, IGNOU
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BTS IGNOU PROJECT

PTS - 4
Synopsis Musics and Dance of Kerala
INTRODUCTION

The music of Kerala has a long and rich history. It is not

the same as Malayalam poetry although most of it is
poetry driven. Kerala has a rich tradition in music. Songs
formed a major part of early Malayalam literature, which
traces its origin to the 9th century CE. The significance of
music in the culture of Kerala can be established just by
the fact that in Malayalam language, musical poetry was
developed long before prose. With the development of
music in the region, different branches were formed out
of it. The most basic branches are classical music which is
primarily Carnatic Music oriented, and popular music
which includes film songs and album songs. Then there is
music like chendamelam which is quite popular

The earliest written record of Malayalam is the

Vazhappalli inscription. The early literature of Malayalam
comprised three types of composition:

Classical songs known as Naadan Paattu.

Manipravalam of the Sanskrit tradition, which
permitted a generous interspersing of Sanskrit with
Malayalam
The folk song rich in native elements
Malayalam poetry to the late 20th century CE It is very un
useful data. varying degrees of the fusion of the three
different strands. The oldest examples of Pattu and, are
Rama charitam and Vaishikatantram, both of the twelfth
century.
Kerala is musically known for Sopanam.
SopanaSangeetham is a form of classical music
originated in temples of Kerala. Sopanam is religious in
nature, and developed through singing invocatory songs
at the Kalam of Kali, and later inside temples. Sopanam
came to prominence in the wake of the increasing
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popularity of Jayadeva'sGita Govinda or Ashtapadis.

Sopanasangeetham (music), as the very name suggests,
is sung by the side of the holy steps (sopanam) leading to
the sanctum sanctorum of a shrine. It is sung, typically
employing plain notes, to the accompaniment of the
small, hourglass-shaped ethnic drum called idakka,
besides the chengila or the handy metallic gong to sound
the beats.
Kerala is also home of Carnatic music. Legends like Swati
Tirunal, Eraiumman Thampy, Shadkala GovindaMaarar,
Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar, Yesudas( Jesudas),
Palghat Mani Iyer, VidwanGopalaPillai, ChertalaGopalan
Nair, M. D. Ramanathan, T. V.
Gopalakrishnan,SankaranNamboothiri,
MavelikkaraKrishnankutty Nair, NeyyatinkaraVasudevan
and T. N. Krishnan are renowned musical exponents from
Kerala. Among the younger generation, child prodigy
violin wizard L.A thira Krishna and Carnatic vocalist P.
Unnikrishnan have made their musical impact in the
international arena, thus keeping the regal tradition of
Carnatic music alive.Kerala also has a significant
presence of Hindustani music as well. The king of
Travancore, Swathi Thirunalpatronaged and contributed
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much to the Hindustani Music. Popular music of Kerala

had a linear development along with classical music of
the region, till the branches separated.
Karela are deeply rooted to their cultural heritage.
Keralese are

deeply rooted to their cultural heritage. Probably, this is

the reason
why even the wave of modernism has not been able to
sweep away the rich heritage of customs and traditions.
Music and

dance also form an integral part of the the life of Keralese

since a lon
time now. Classical as well as folk music and dance have
kept alive the ancient lores and stories which still find a
wide audience amongst tourists. Probably, this is The
popular music in Kerala is enriched by its highly
developed film music branch. Other forms of popular
music include light music, pop music and devotional
songs.

Keralese are deeply rooted to their cultural heritage.

Probably,
this
is
the reason why even the wave of modernism has not
been able to

sweep away the rich heritage of customs and traditions.

Music and

dance also form an integral part of the the life of Keralese

since a lon

time now. Classical as well as folk music and dance have

kept alive the

ancient lores and stories which still find a wide audience

amongst

tourists.

The Hindustani and Carnatic music are two distinct forms

of Indian
music. The latter one, Carnatic music, is hugely popular in
the southern
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part of India. Though it is believed that all music forms of

India have
their source in the vedas, in Kerala itself, Carnatic music
was made popular by the efforts of the musician king of
the erstwhile Travancore state, Swathi Thirunal. Carnatic
music is based on well composed musical pieces called
Kritis that follow a definite pattern to present ragas in all
its emotional and textual ramifications. The music is
beautifully backed up by instruments like the tambura,
the mridangam, the ghatam, the Ganjira, the violin and
the morsing.

Popular Dance & Music Forms of

Kerala
Kathakali -- The literal meaning of Kathakali is story
play. The dance drama depict scenes and events from
Hindu mythology, typically from Ramayana and
Mahabharata. The Kathakali artists wear heavy makeup
and magnificent costumes to depict good and evil
characters. Positive and negative characters paint their
faces according to the characters they play.

Mohiniattam -- The term Mohiniattam derives from

Mohini and attam. The former implies a woman who lures
spectators while the latter means graceful and sensuous
body movements. Together, these two terms indicate that
Mohinattam is a dance of enchantment.

Koodiyattam - Koodiyattam is considered the oldest

dance form of the world (around 2000 years old) which is
the reason why it has been designated as the Human
Heritage Art by the UNESCO. The dance form, as seen
today, is the result of the efforts of a king known by the
name of Kulasekhara Varma Cheraman Perumal..

Ottamthullal -This is yet another dance form of Kerala

which was developed by Kunjan Nambiar as an
alternative to Chakiarkuthu. He was a Malayali poet
thoroughly disgusted over the socio-political structure
and prejudices of the region. The dance has a single
performer who renders thulla songs while acting and
dancing simultaneously.

Chakiarkuthu - The term koothu means dance and

Chakiarkuthu is a performing art which was traditionally
carried out by Chakiar community. Originally, it was
performed inside a Hindu temple. The performer started
of with a prayer of the deity and continued on with a
recital of verse. This was followed by a translation of
verse in Malayalam for the convenience of spectators.

Panchavadyam -As per its name, Panchvadyam involves

the synchronized percussion sound produced by five
(panch) instruments (vadyam) that are typical to the
state of Kerala. The use of five instruments - Shudha
Madhalam, Kombu, Edakka, Elathalam & Timila - is due to
the efforts of Thiruvilwamala Venkichan Swamy,
Annamanada Peethambara Marar, Annamanada Achutha
Marar, Annamanada.

Aims And Objective

To Study Musics of Kerala

Types of Music of Kerala.
To Study various musician from Kerala and their contribution.
Study of Music, Musicians and Musical Instruments.
To study State Promotion of Music.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Primary Data Sources

Personally attend their classical music Programmers shows and
different cultural programs in Kerala.
By the Magazine interview artist of Kerala
Meeting with cultural department of Kerala and cross question
about development and promotion of Kerala music
Secondary Data Sources

News paper (Pioneer,Sambad)

Magazines ( Bharat Darshan, Outlooks )
Journals
Internet
Ignous study Material.
Guidance from Ignou Councilor.

TENTATIVE CHAPTERS

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Chapter 1-- Introduction

Chapter 2--Classic Musics of Kerala.
Chapter 3--Folk Musics of Kerala.
Chapter 4--Eminent Musicians of Kerala.
Chapter 5--Promotion of Musics and Dance in Kerala
Chapter 6--Conclusion

REFERENCES
Sreedhara Menon, A. Kerala Charithram. Kottayam, Kerala: D.C. Books.
p. 494.
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 Rolf, Killius (2006). Ritual Music and Hindu Rituals of Kerala. New Delhi:
BR Rhythms. ISBN 81-88827-07-X.
"Music". Keral.com. Archived from the original on 2 August 2008.
Retrieved 2 January 2009.
K. Pradeep (25 April 2008). "Family affair". Chennai, India: The Hindu.
Retrieved 2 January 2009.
Jason Kaitholil. "Cinema History". AMMA (Malayalamcinema.com).

Retrieved 2 January 2009.

"K.J. Yesudas". Chennai Online. Retrieved 2 January 2009.

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