Tholppavakoothu Dance Tholppavakoothu Dance, Kerala ToursLiterally meaning 'leather puppet play', Tholppavakkoothu is a ritual art performed during the annual festivals in the Kaali temples of Palakkad district. The text of the play is based on the Kamba Ramayana, narrated in a diction that is a mixture of Malayalam and Tamil dialectical variations. The play covers the whole gamut of events from Lord Rama's birth to his coronation as the King of Ayodhya. The show is enacted on the 'Koothumadom',... read more »

Mohiniattam Dance Mohiniattam is one of the major classical dance styles of India. Mohiniattam from Kerala is perhaps one of the most graceful dances and totally identifies with the green environment; gentle singing of the palm trees and the calm ocean waters of Kerala. Kerala has always preserved all traditional arts and the people of the state consider it an integral part of everyday life. In the word Mohiniattam, Mohini means a maiden who charms the onlooker and attam means dance. Usually... read more »

Kootiyattam Dances Koodiyattam is the earliest classical dramatic art form of Kerala. Evidence show that this dance form was in vogue in all major temples from ninth century, and it became a full-fledged dramatic presentation before the fifteenth century. Koodiyattam literally means "acting together". Koodiyattam used to be a combined dance drama conducted by the Chakkiyars (a caste among Hindus), who provided the male cast and the Nangiars (women of the Nambiyar caste), playing the female roles.... read more »

Kathakali Kathakali is the classical dance-drama of Kerala, South India, which dates from the 17th centuryKalamandalam Ramankutty Nair and is rooted in Hindu mythology. Kathakali has a unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance. In the following pages we have placed photographs and videos of Kathakali performances and songs by famous Kathakali singers. The themes of the Kathakali are religious in nature.  They typically deal with the Mahabarat, the Ramayana and the... read more »

Natana Kairali Research & Performing Centre for Traditional Arts, Thrissur Conceived with the idea of preserving and popularizing the various traditional art forms of Kerala that were on the verge of decline, the Natana Kairali Research & Performing Centre for Traditional Arts was set up in Thrissur by Gopal Venu. Over the years, this cultural center of Kerala has contributed immensely to the growth and development of diverse art forms that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the land. In... read more »

Kerala Kalamandalam, Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur The cradle of Kathakali training in India, Kerala Kalamandalam is located on the banks of Kerala's longest river, the Bharathapuzha in Cheruthuruthy. The state's flagship training school for Kathakali dance drama and other indigenous performing arts of Kerala, Kalamandalam was founded in 1927 AD by the revered poet Vallathol Significance Present Kalamandalam is undoubtedly the best institution in India imparting training and conducting performance... read more »

Kumarakom Backwaters The village of Kumarakam is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarakom offers visitors many other leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available at Kumarakom. Holiday packages on the houseboats, traditional Kettuvalloms,... read more »

Vajikarana Tantra Vajikarana Tantra deals with various diseases like infertility and weakness of the shukra dhatu or the vital reproductive fluids of the body. The anatomical and physiological portions of Ashtang Ayurveda are based on three factors- dosh (basic body constituents), dhatu (body tissues) and mala (body wastes ). Dhatu decides the configuration of the body and functions under the governance of the dosha. In all, there are seven dhatu: rasa, rakta, mansa, med, asthi, majja and shukra.... read more »

Rasayana Tantra - Rejuvenation Rasayana Tantra or Jara Chikitsa is that branch of Ayurvedic science which deals with various preventive measures for ensuring a hale and hearty existence. It is a kind of rejuvenating therapy, which promotes rejuvenation in a healthy person and restores a diseased person to health. Rasayana Tantra aims at longevity, enhanced memory, health, youthfulness, radiance of complexion, generosity, bodily vigour and the sharpness of the senses. Rasayana implies that physical,... read more »

Toxicology - Agada Tantra Agada Tantra is a specialized branch of Ayurveda that offers us meticulously detailed information about the non- animal ( sthavar) and animal (jangam) poisons (visha) and the methods of elimination of these poisons from the human body. It particularly advocates different antidotes for materials which are poisonous to the human body. The branch of Agada Tantra finds explicit mention in Charak Sanhita, Sushruta Sanhita and Sharangdhar Sanhita. Uttar Sthana, the sixth section... read more »