Ottamthullal

Ottamthullal

This is yet another dance form of Kerala which was developed by Kunjan Nambiar as an alternative to Chakiarkuthu. He was a Malayali poet thoroughly disgusted over the socio-political structure and prejudices of the region. The dance has a single performer who renders thulla songs while acting and dancing simultaneously. He is assisted by a musician who stands behind and gives leads. Also, there are two other people on instruments - Maddalam, a kind of drum and a pair of cymbals. The dance is also known as the poor man's kathakali.