Chavittunatakom
The Portuguese influence in Kerala helped the spread of Christianity along the southwest coast. As a result, a new type of community was slowly brought into existence, which being cut off from its original setup, had to look upon the Westerner for cultural sustenance. Out of this situation was born a new art form with songs, dialogues and dances, similar to the miracle plays of the West. They are known as Chavittunatakom. The stage settings, introduction of curtains costumes, masks, etc., show the influence of the West. Genoa, Caralman Charitram, Nepoleon Charitram etc., are some of the important plays.

Sopana Sangeetham
Sopanasangeetham is a musical art form performed with the accompaniment of Idaikka especially in the temples of Kerala. Sopanasangeetham is recited only when the inner sanctum sanctorum of the temple is closed for customary ceremonial offerings to gods and goddesses. Only the Maaraar and Pothuval community had the privilege of doing this. It is also sung with the accompaniment of another musical instrument named Chengila. It is customary to sing this song, from the time the inner sanctum sanctorum closes to the time it opens, in praise of the respective god or goddesses, the temple is dedicated to. The lyrics are either in Malayalam or Sanskrit. The 24 songs in Gita Govindam, which is known to be India’s first light music composition.

Porattu Natakam
‘Porattukali’ or ‘Porattu Natakam’ is a theatre art that is being sustained in the districts of Palakkad and Thrissur. The members of ‘Pana’ community present this art form. Their main profession is making of the traditional umbrella – ‘Olakkuda’ and weaving. The plot of Porattu Natakam is solely based on the day-to-day affairs of Dasi, Kuravan-Kurathi, Mannnan-Mannanthi, Cheruman-Cherumi etc. the Vidushaka or the buffoon is the central character of Porattu Natakam. The percussions used include Chenda, Maddalam, Elathalam and Harmonium.

Yakshagana
‘Yakshagana’ is an art form much popular in Kerala’s the neighbouring state of Karnataka and the District of Kasaragod in Kerala. There are certain regional differences seen for this art form with regard to its performance. In certain regions, it bears the name ‘Bialate’ (Vayalattom). Even after the ruining of ‘Thripurasura’ the anger of Lord Shiva didn’t cease. Gods became perplexed on seeing this. At this moment ‘Kubera’ asked ‘Yakshas’ wearing different costumes and with several musical instruments performed dance to please Lord Shiva. On seeing this, Lord Shiva got pleased. It is supposed that this dance performance of ‘Yaksha’ later came to be known as Yakshagana. The topic discussed in Yakshagana is the story mentioned in epics and legends.

Musical instruments like drum, Maddalam, cymbal, gong etc. are used for the performance of Yakshagana. There are separate artists to perform songs. Much similarity could be seen for Yakshagana with Kathakali. But there are no such gestures in Yakshagana as seen in Kathakali. The players in costumes would perform dialogues also. It is the male artists who perform Yakshagana. Nowadays, apart from the temple premises, this art form is being performed in public stages also. The preface of each and every scene, as well as the creation of harmonious sound of the musical instruments is the specialty of this art form. Popular stories taken up for performances include those from the epic Mahabharatha.

Porattukal
‘Porattukal’ is a theatrical art form that is being presented as a part of the ritual art forms from the north to the south of Kerala. Most of the ritual art forms like ‘Kanyar Kali’ (Cholkkaran, Mannan, Mannathi, Thekkan etc.), ‘Padayani’ (Thalla, Anthoni, Thangalum Padayum, Sharkarakudakkaran), ‘Theyyam’ (Aashari, Mappila, Vechi, Vesya, Mayilon) have got ‘Porratu’ in them. The costumes used here are very much realistic. The main ‘Rasa’ or flavour here is that of humour. This art form, which is a mix of songs and dialogues stands close to drama.

Chaliyapporattu
The Chaliya community conducts Chaliyapporattu. It is usually conducted during the Pooram festival in the Malayalam month of Meenam (March-April). Chaliyapporattu is a satirical art form in which the criticisms of the contemporary subjects are also incorporated. In olden days many people used to gather at the courtyard of the Kavu (a small temple) at the Chaliya Street to appreciate the performance of this art form. The Porattukali appear on the stage in ordinary costumes. There will be many characters in the play, which ridicule the different communities in the society. Ridiculing even the favorite deity is a specialty seen in this Porattu. In Chaliyapporattu devotion, humour, romance etc. are seen mixed.