Kakkarissi Natakom Dance- Kerala

Kakkarissi Natakom is a satirical dance-drama based on the Puranic legends of Lord Siva and his consort Parvati. Social Satire is a distinct feature of this art form with songs and dance as the integral part of this play. It is believed to be originated from in the later half of the 18th Century. The language used in this dance drama is a blend of Tamil and Malyalam. The chief characters are Kakkalan, Kakkathi, Vetan, Velichappadu, Thampuraan and the ubiquitous Jester.

Kakkalan (hero) and Kakkathi (heroine) are the main characters of any play and hence the name Kakkarissi Natakam. This folk theatre is mainly popular in the southern parts of Kerala. Earlier this performing art form is performed only by the members of Kurava and Malaveda, two tribal communities but later on some other communities also started staging the art form. The instruments accompanied in Kakkarissi Natakom include Harmonium, Ganjira or Tambourine, Maddalam and Ilathalam (gongs). In some places, Tabla is also used. The percussionists usually used to score background music.