200-YO Village In Kerala Known For Kathakali Dancers Will Now Be Called Ayirur Kathakali Gramam

by Shreya Rathod
200-YO Village In Kerala Known For Kathakali Dancers Will Now Be Called Ayirur Kathakali Gramam

Every place has a speciality that becomes its identity. For instance, if a place is special for a certain dish then people across the world would travel all the way there to try the special treat. And several places in India have such unique traits. But this Kerala village, which is now known as Ayirur Kathakali Gramam, has become the talk of the town. Here’s why.

Ayirur Kathakali Gramam In Kerala

kathakali village kerala
Credits: Canva Image

A small village, originally named Ayroor village in ‘God’s Own Country’ Kerala, has a rich cultural heritage. Located near the banks of the Pamba River, this place is known for talented Kathakali dancers — people who are trained in the traditional dance form from Kerala. And with such a great history and lineage, the villagers were firm on renaming the village from Ayroor village to Ayirur Kathakali Gramam — paying homage to the traditional Kerala dance form.

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But doing so was a tedious process of twelve years. But, they have been successful in fulfilling their dream and now the village has a new name. The locals have dedicated their lives to preserving and protecting the tradition of Kathakali. This village is the source of talented Kathakali dancers. And they are known for their annual performances at the Mahadev Temple during festivals. But most importantly, this showcasing of their talent has drawn large crowds of tourists and devotees. The village has a long history with the Kathakali dance form — for almost 200 years!

Kathakali & Its Roots

The Kathakali dance form originated in South India — especially Kerala. The dance form takes inspiration from the Ramayana and Shaiva stories. The dancers are adorned with classical costumes and their faces are painted to portray the character they are playing. Besides this, the dancers have to wear props like headdresses. While dancing, the dancers communicate the story to the audience through facial and eye gestures.

Earlier, such dance forms were limited to the royals and nobles and commoners weren’t allowed to watch them. However, as time progressed, the rules changed and people got a glimpse of this dance form.

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Tell us if you have ever seen a live Kathakali performance. Comment below and share your experience.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Image