Kolkali

Understand

Where Kolkali comes from

Kolkali is a folk art performed in the Malabar region of Kerala, with documented variants including Vandhanakali, Vattakol, Thettikol, Thaduthukali and Irunnukali. The origin of the form is traced to ancient days when Kalarippayattu — the martial art of Kerala — was in widespread practice; many of Kolkali's body postures, choreography and foot-work are taken directly from Kalarippayattu, and even its body-training massage tradition is borrowed from the kalari. Kolkali is now a popular event in the Kerala School Kalolsavam — considered Asia's largest cultural festival. The form has two styles: the actual Kolkali (Thacholikali, Rajasooyam etc., now on the verge of extinction) and the still-vigorous Thekkan Koladi, which is the version included in state kalolsavams.

How it's practiced

Kolkali is performed by men moving in a circle, striking small sticks held in each hand in time to the special stepping-rhythm. The circle expands and contracts as the dance progresses, with the accompanying music gradually rising in pitch and the dance reaching its climax. There are at least 25 documented sub-styles; the most performed today are Thekkan Koladi (the southern style still alive in state festivals) and the now-endangered actual Kolkali. The performance is highly rhythmic and athletic, drawing its choreography directly from the footwork and body postures of Kalaripayattu.