Deprivation of Keralite Folk Performing Arts in Kanyakumari District

Abstract

A survey of folk performing arts throughout Kanyakumari district shows that, out of 74 folk performing arts in Kerala, Margam Kali, Kuthiyattam, Koodiyaattam, Chakyarkoothu, Pulavapattu, Thiruvathirakali, Thiyattu, Kaakkassi Kali, Chavittunatakam and Avaiyarkali had been performed here and there in Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks in the early 1950AD, but at present Kuthiyattam, Thiruvathirakali and Thiyattu are performed only in a few temples on a particular festival day while Koodiyaattam, Chakyarkoothu, Kaakkarissi Kali, Chavittunatakam and Avaiyarkali are found to be alive only in cultural festivals. This paper highlights the deprivation of keralite folk performing arts in Kanyakumari district.