Kooliyattam
Certain sections of tribal people do perform the ritual dance relating to the worship of or the offering to ‘Kooli’. Abode for Kooli is ordained beneath the ‘Pala’ trees in the village of ‘Adiyas’. (a section of tribal people). The belief is that due to the possession of Kooli the health of the people will become deteriorated and many a disease will appear in the country. If offerings are given and an attire of Kooli is enacted, those miseries will move away. Adiyas perform this act in the name ‘Kooliyattam.’ This art form is also known as ‘Peyattom.’ Most of these performances are conducted for the sake of women and children. For the pregnant woman from the fifth month onwards Kooliyattam may be conducted. Usually it is performed during night. The chief performer wearing a white tie on his head along with some decorations with brass will dance. He is dressed in a silk cloth and his face and body will be smeared with a special paste. He wears a jingling bell around his waist. Musical instruments used are ‘Thudi’ (small drum) and ‘Cheeni’ (a kind of flute). Two people will sing. The pregnant woman should take her seat in front till the act of Kooliyattam ends.

Kurumar’s Vattakali
The main theme of ‘Vattakali’ comes from the worship of Lord Ganapathi. It is usually conducted in connection with functions like marriage ceremonials of the ‘Kurumar’ community.

Muduka Nritham
‘Mudukas’ are the tribal clan of Attappadi village. Around forty-one village of Mudukas are there in Attappadi. This art form, ‘Muduka Nritham’ is performed during the time of death and also during the post-death ceremonies. This dance form is also performed during the festival of ‘Malleswara’, the deity of the clan and also during the time of harvest.

Mulam Chenda
‘Mulam Chenda’ is a kind of musical performance rendered by the ‘Mavilers’ of Kasaragod District. Dried bamboo of various length and size are collected and is played using a narrow stick. The sound and the tone vary according to the change of the length and width of the bamboo used. They are also experts in performing Thayambnaka in Mulam Chenda

Mariyattom
‘Maritheyyam’ is a ritual art form being performed by the members of the ‘Pulaya’ community of north Kerala during the festival of ‘Mariyattom’. From the 16th day of the month of ‘Karkataka’ (July/August) (in certain areas 28th day) people visit every home with Maritheyyam and conduct Mariyattom and Marippattu (ritual dance and ritual song). In Maritheyyam performance there will be six figures of Gods such as Marikaliyan, Mamayakkaliyan, Marikkalachi, Mamayakkalachi, Marikkuliyam and Mamayakkiliyan. Costumes and ornaments made for these figures. On the faces of Kaliyan and Kalichi there will be smearing.

Kaliyans wear masks. Musical instruments used from behind are ‘Thudi’ (small drum) and chengila (gong). ‘Mari’ and ‘Mamaya’ are goddesses sprouted in the soil of ‘Aariyanatu’. In the ship of god, which comes to ‘Malanadu’ those evil goddesses also found a place. Mari and Mamaya who alighted at Velapuram besieged the area of Malanadu and miseries appeared everywhere in the country.

Rites at temples were interrupted. The local astrologer is brought. Astrological calculations are conducted at the threshold of ‘Thiruvarkkatti’ Temple. The astrologers found that the country is affected with such calamities like ‘Marippani’ and ‘Kalassani’. To eradicate this ‘Marippattu’ should be performed. Nobody except ‘Polla’ who belongs to ‘Pulaya’ community could expel these evil goddesses. Marikkolams (figures of gods) should be caused to dance at Thiruvarkkattu Temple on the 16th day of the month of Karkatakam when the noon-worship ends. In the following days traveling through the whole region Marissani should be evicted. Mari thus evicted should also send off to the river. It is said that the decision to evict ‘Marippani’ through the yearly performance of Marippattu was taken during the period of Cheraman Perumal. The Pulaya community maintains that decision even now.

Manpattu
Members of the ‘Kurichiar’ community are great hunters. ‘Manpattu’ or deer-song is their art performance related to hunting. There is no such special adornment for this performance. Members of the Kurichiar community staying in a circle would sing the story of a deer hunting.
One of them suddenly tumbles down and assuming himself as a deer trembles in a frenzy. Putting his arms and limbs on the soil he plays like a deer. After a while he would take refuge in the forest. Then he would be brought back by singing the song. This song is supposed to evict the ghost of the deer from the man’s body. The belief is that, if the song is gone astray, he will have to continue the life of a deer in the forest. The members of the Kurichiar community observe this art form of ‘Manpattu’ as a ritual ceremony.

Paniyanritham
This is a crude art form presented by Paniyars, one of the tribes in Wayanad District of Kerala. This is a community entertainment oriented art form presented during marriages, festivals etc. Both men and women participate and there is no specific age limit. In groups of five, ten, fifteen etc any number could participate in this. Two Thudis (percussion) and a horn are the instruments used. The performance, which starts after dusk, goes on till dawn. No special stage is needed.