- The traditional Atham pageantry marked the onset of Onam celebrations in Kerala.
- The procession showcased Kerala’s diverse art forms, including Theyyam, Kathakali, Padayani, and Pulikkali, with colourful ammankudas and performers in elaborate costumes.
- Musical performances featured Chendamelam, Panchavadyam, and modern percussion bands.
- The procession was peppered with countless ‘Mavelis’ dressed up like the legendary demon king(Mahabali) complete with gold-coloured crowns and ornaments.
- Traditional agrarian art forms like ‘Kalakali’ fascinated the younger generation.
- The Kerala Cartoon Academy also contributed through caricatures.
Theyyam: It is an ancient folk ritual from Kerala, that blends theatre, mime, and worship. Performers, adorned with intricate face paintings, elaborate costumes, and towering headdresses, enter trance-like states to embody gods. Only men participate. Theyyam is a sacred, powerful ritual celebrated with deep reverence.
Padayani: Padayani is a ritual theatre art form linked to Goddess Bhadrakali, performed at night in Central Travancore, Kerala.Originating from the martial tradition of Kalaripayattu. It symbolizes a ‘row of warriors’ and seeks to please the Goddess after her victory over the demon Darikan.
Pulikali: Tiger Dance is a folk art of Kerala, performed during Onam. Artists paint their bodies with tiger stripes in yellow, red, and black and dance to traditional percussion instruments like thakil, udukku, and chenda.
Kalakali: It is a procession of decorated models of bulls. There are many rituals throughout Kerala associated with farming and all these rituals reflect man’s admiration and submission to nature and Earth.
Dig Deeper: Read about Kalaripattu and other martial arts of Kerala.
