Chozhikali

Chozhikali is a folk dance popular in central Kerala mainly in the Valluvanad region. There are two types of Chozhikali: Thiruvathirachozhi and Kudachozhi. Chozhikali is a ritual dance form performed by the Hindu community of present-day Palakkad and Thrissur districts. ==Thiruvathirachozhi==

As part of Thiruvathira celebrations, Thiruvathirachozhi, a type of Chozhikali performed in house to house after midnight on the days of Makayiram and Thiruvathira nakshthra in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December/January). More than 10 whole banana leaves are cut and tied together and placed on the head like a hat and then the rest part tied to the body and fixed. They have their faces covered with charcoal written mask of Areca palm petiole. Chenda and elathalam are the background instruments in Chozhikali. It features Yama and Chitragupta trying to take Muthi to the afterlife and Muthi escaping from it. Muthi's song is followed by dialogues with Yama. Chozhikali songs are mostly related to Ramayana and Mahabharata stories, apart from these there are also folk songs. After finishing the performance the family will send the group away with rice, fruit, water, clothes and Dakshina (money). ==Kudachozhi==

Kudachozhi also known as Visharikali is also a folk art form performed in Valluvanad region. It is traditionally performed by families of the Pulaya community. Chozhi in Kudachozhi is pasted with sandalwood paste on his face, chest, legs and hands. Each troupe of this art form performed by men consists of eight to twelve members. It starts from any of the place of deity in the region. Chozhikali is performed by standing in a circle, spinning and waving the umbrella in their hands in a circle as the lead singer sings to the beat. Performance start slowly and then progress with brisk steps. The performance is completed by jumping high and taking rhythmic steps. The songs have a question-and-answer format. Chozhi, demons of Goddess Parvati, are believed to be able to ward off heat illnesses and contagious diseases. The change of steps when the song and rhythm become tight is known as Kudakuthikali. ==Modern definition==

The umbrella and broom used in Chozhikali are symbols of power. Chozhikali is now defined as a subaltern art that satirically recreates the world of inequalities experienced during feudal times. ==References==