Folks

Gaddika

Gaddika is a ritual performed by the adiyan tribe of Wayanad District. It is performed to get rid
of the evil spirits, and also done as a part of death ceremony. The word ‘Gaddika’ means
eradication. If the disease is not cured by medicines, adiyan tribe members try this ritual. It begins with songs and mantras on Monday morning and concludes the next day morning by 10'o clock.This ritual is conducted by the chief of the tribe, Adiya mooppan.

Theyyam

Theyyam  or Theyyattam or Thira is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu area (consisting of present-day Kasargod, Kannur Districts, Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad and Vadakara &Koyilandy Taluks of Kozhikode of Kerala state.

Thira

In calicut and wayanad district, the theyyam forms are called thira. One of the myth behind the origin of the term thira is that, the performer acts with a headgear made of wood. This wooden headgear is called Thira. Another popular tale of origin for thira seems to be from another art/dance form Poothan and Thira. It has a semi circular headgear made of wood and this is called thira. Another one is from the term Darsanam which means Divine sight.Thira is performed by the people in Perumannan,Munnuttan and Anjuttan community.The main goddess are Kuttichattan,Bhagavathi,Vettaykorumagan,Gulikan and Nagakali.

Aali Theyyam

Theyyams have followers not only from Hindu community, but even from Muslim.One such theyyam which is associated with Muslim Community is Aali Theyyam. There are certain kaav in Malabar mainly Kasargode and Kannur district, where muslim theyyams are performed.

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Padayani

Padayani, also called Padeni, is a traditional folk dancefrom the central portion of the Indian state of Kerala. A ceremonial dance involving masks, it is an ancient ritual performed in Bhagavati temples.^[1] The dance is performed in honor of Bhadrakaali.some of the most famous is the Kadammanitta Padayani.The festival is also auspicious as it marks the victory of Kali over Daariken, an evil character and the renewal of protection of the Goddess on human beings.The main instrument used for this is Thappu. The main center of this festival is the Pathanamthitta Town.The main performances are Ganapathi,Yakshi,Pakshi,Madan,Marutha,Kalan,PisachAnd Bhiravikkolam.

Yakshaganam

Yakshagana is one of the most important folk theatres of Karnataka and Kasargod which has brought fame to this region. 

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Poothanam Thirayum

Poothanam Thirayum is yet another ritual art performed in Kaali temples aimed at propitiation. This ritual is widely performed in south Malabar as part of annual festivals.A troupe consisting of Kaali and the accompanying spirits (more than two) perform the art. The theme is killing of demon Darika by Kaali.Kaali is specially costumed with mask, whereas the spirits are with wooden crowns in addition to special costumes.The troupe visits each house in the company of traditional folk art musicians to receive gifts in cash or kind before performing in the temple.

Oppana

Oppana is a popular form of social entertainment among the Mappila community of  Kerala, south India, especially in the northern district of Malappuram. The word Oppana may have been derived from an Arabic form Afna.  Oppana was originated on the occasion of make of muslim brides.Oppana is generally presented by females, numbering about fifteen including musicians, on a wedding day. The bride dressed in all finery, covered with gold ornaments and her palms and feet adorned with an intricately woven pattern of mylanchi , sits amidst the circle of dancers. She is the chief spectator sitting on a peetam (chair), around which the singing and dancing take place. While they sing, they clap their hands rhythmically and move around the bride using simple steps. Two or three girls begin the songs and the rest join in chorus. There are two types of Oppana, one is Oppana chayal another is Oppanamurukkam. When Oppana chayal is performed, they do not clap their hands. If it begins with Chayal it would also end with Chayal only.^[Sometime Oppana is also presented by males to entertain the bridegroom. 

Bapirian

Some `Theyyams' also depict Muslim figures  and one is Bapirian.Babra is the name of Bapirian in Kasaragod. This theyyam is performed by the people in "Vaannan" community.

Margam Kali

The Margamkali is a performing art of the Syriac Christians of Kerala. The word 'Margam' may be roughly translated to mean path, way, religion or creed. Margamkali is said to have developed from Kalaripayattu. It was used as a means to propagate the Christian religion. The Margamkali is a ritual folk dance in which twelve people dance around a traditional oil lamp (Nilavilakku). They represent the twelve apostles and Christ himself is represented by the lamp. They perform the dance wearing the traditional white dhoti and a peacock feather on the turban. There is a traditional text which accompanies the Margamkali. It is in 14 strophes and has about 450 lines. This song is said to be of a period older than the Portuguese invasion of Kerala. The narration is not accompanied by any musical instrument. The theme of the song is a rendition of St. Thomas’ activities in Malabar and his ultimate martyrdom. This is the song dance part of the art form. The song is sun by the leader of the troupe called the “Asan”. 

Kathupattu

Kathupattu is more popular in Islam community.The song singed in the form by a Message and those reply..

Mappila Song 
Mappila Song is a folklore Muslim song genre rendered to lyrics in colloquial Mappila dialect of Malayalam laced with Arabic, by the Mappilas of Malabar.Mappila songs have a distinct cultural identity, while at the same time, remain closely linked to the cultural practices of Kerala. The songs often used words from Persian, Urdu, Tamil, Hindi apart from Arabic and Malayalam, but the grammatical syntax was always based on Malayalam. They deal with themes such as religion, love, satire and heroism, and are often sung at occasions of birth, marriage and death. Mappila Paattu form an integral part of the heritage of Malayalam literature today and is regarded by some as the most popular branch of Malayalam literature, enjoyed by all communities in Kerala.

Kolkali

Kolkali is a folk art performed in North Malabar region of Kerala State in south India. The dance performers move in a circle, striking small sticks and keeping rhythm with special steps. The circle expands and contracts as the dance progress. The accompanying music gradually rises in pitch and the dance reaches its climax.Many of the traditional performing art forms of Kerala like Kathakali, Velakali, Poorakkali and Thacholikali; Kolkali, also have drawn elements from Kalarippayatt during their stages of evolution. Kathakali has borrowed much from Kalarippayattu in its basic body preparative training of the actor not only in terms of technique in practice but also from the body massage for the trainee. Many of the body postures, choreography and foot work of the Kolkali characters are taken directly from Kalarippayattu.