Kerala’s Living Heritage: A Tale of Dance, Battle, and Survival

By APASA Intern Amit Krishna

In Kerala, a state in India, tradition is not locked away in museums. It pulses through the veins of everyday life, expressed through art forms that are as vibrant and alive as the land itself. For me, growing up in Kerala, my first real encounter with my own heritage came through dance. As I learned Kathakali, I discovered that Kerala’s history is not just something to be studied, but something to be lived and felt.

Two of Kerala’s most iconic traditions, Kathakali and Kalaripayattu, capture the dual spirit of our land. With its expressive storytelling, Kathakali reveals the inner world of emotions, myths, and morality. It is the art of embodying the gods, heroes, and demons of legend, using movement and expression to bring ancient stories to life. Kalaripayattu, on the other hand, is the physical memory of battle: a martial art that channels the discipline, strength, and resilience of Kerala’s warriors. Where Kathakali explores the battles within, Kalaripayattu is the art of the battlefield itself, a living tradition of movement, healing, and power.

Kathakali:

One of Kerala’s most iconic cultural traditions is Kathakali, a dance so intricate and expressive that it transforms mere movement into mythology and storytelling.

Born in the 17th century, Kathakali is a fusion of storytelling, dance, and music that brings Hindu epics to life. 

A Kathakali performance is a feast for the senses. As the chenda drums thunder and cymbals clash, the curtain quivers in the lamplight. Suddenly, a figure emerges, crowned in gold and jewels, face painted in a brilliant mix of green, red, black, and white. Every color and design in the makeup has meaning: green for noble heroes and gods, red for villains, black for demons, yellow for monks and women, and white for divine beings. These visual codes, rooted in ancient Hindu philosophy, help the audience instantly recognize the nature of each character. The costumes are equally elaborate, with multi-layered skirts, ornate jewelry, and massive headgear that transform the performer into a larger-than-life figure. The transformation is so complete that the artist doesn’t just portray a character from legend — they become it.

"Kathakali is not just a dance; it’s devotion in motion,” says Rajan Master, a seasoned Kathakali performer with over 30 years of experience. “Each gesture, each expression, is a verse from an ancient poem.” 

The performers train rigorously, mastering mudras (hand gestures), facial expressions, and dramatic footwork. Their elaborate costumes and striking makeup—bold colors of green, red, and black—symbolize divine characters, demons, and noble heroes. The result is more of a theatre show than dance, where stories unfold in a language beyond words. Beauty.

For me, Kathakali has been more than just something to watch — it’s been a bridge to my heritage. Learning and performing Kathakali opened a doorway into a world I had only glimpsed through stories. From the moment I first put on the twenty-kilogram costume, feeling the weight of history on my shoulders, to painstakingly practicing every micro-expression in the mirror, I wasn’t just reenacting myths but stepping into them. In those moments, I wasn’t merely a student or a spectator — I was part of a tradition passed down through generations, carrying the voices of gods, heroes, and dreamers. And here you can see me, performing for the very first time …

Kalari:

If Kathakali is Kerala’s theatre, Kalaripayattu is its living memory of the battlefield. History is not just about innovations or times of peace, but also about wars, lost lives, and conquests. I still remember the first time I saw a Kalari demonstration—the air crackled with energy as bodies moved with a grace that was both animal and divine. Kalaripayattu, often called the “mother of all martial arts,” is believed to be over 3,000 years old, predating even kung fu and karate. Yet, despite its ancient roots, many—even in India—are unaware of its depth and significance, a fact shaped by British colonial bans and the resulting decline in practice and visibility.

“People are not aware of [Kalari] because of the British colonization and the ban of Kalaripayattu in India by the British. But we still persevered. All that has affected the growth of this powerful art form… Kalaripayattu itself is a living recap of Kerala’s struggles — each movement shaped by centuries of resistance and resilience. Colonization didn’t erase that spirit; it only added another chapter to the long story of survival that Kalari continues to embody.” - Dr. Aparna Sindhoor, Kalari Master

Kalaripayattu is not just a martial art; it is a holistic system that weaves together physical discipline, healing, and philosophy. Dr. Aparna Sindhoor emphasized how the art encompasses massage therapy and Ayurveda-based treatments, which are unique to Kalari. The massages are performed with the feet and special oils, a practice that surprises many who are used to table massages with hands. These treatments are reserved for dedicated students, highlighting the deep trust and tradition embedded in Kalari practice.

One of the most powerful insights from my conversation with Dr. Sindhoor was her belief in the transformative power of art. In a world full of stress and fragmentation, she sees dance and martial arts as essential for self-expression, healing, and building community. The concept of Sahṛdaya, a Sanskrit saying that means ‘one of similar heart’, guides her approach, emphasizing empathy and connection between performer and viewer.

Through Kathakali and Kalaripayattu, I discovered that heritage is not something distant or dusty — it is a force that shapes the present, connects hearts, and offers a way of seeing the world. Learning these traditions taught me that art and history are not separate from life; they are life, woven into every drumbeat, every gesture, every leap.

In every Kathakali performance and every Kalari movement, the spirit of Kerala endures — a spirit that has survived wars, colonization, and change, yet continues to thrive with a fierce, quiet power.

As I move forward, carrying these stories and lessons within me, I know that honoring my heritage means not only preserving it, but living it — letting its rhythms guide me, its resilience strengthen me, and its beauty inspire others to listen, to learn, and to keep the legacy alive.

soooo who tryna hit up a kathak show…