Music And Dance

The traditions in Kerala and Lakshadweep, depict that the last king of the Chera Dynasty embraced Islam and secretly left for Mecca.

The people who went in search of the king spotted the coral atoll of Lakshadweep. They came back with this information and then people from the land started to drift to these islands. The evidence of early settlements are the statues of Buddha and other relics found in the islands of Andrott, Minicoy and Kavaratti. This had an impact on the culture of the islands as the early settlers carried with them the art forms and music prevailing in Kerala. All tour and Travel needs for India by Indian travel agent.

In due course modifications occurred in the art forms due to the social and environmental changes in the Lakshadweep Islands. New art forms and music emerged. Today we notice the influence of Islam in the music, art and literature of the islanders. All tour and Travel needs for India by Indian travel agent.

Kolkali & Parichakali are the two popular folk art forms in the Lakshadweep Islands. They are woven in the cultural fabric of the islands only except in Minicoy where " Lava ' is the most popular dance form.

Some of the folk dances somewhat take from those in North Eastern India. People like Lakshadweep culture and also like dances of Kolkali & Parichakali.

Kolkali ( Stick Dance )
Kol means a stick and the dance performed with sticks, is called Kolkali. It is the most popular folk dance of Lakshadweep. All tour and Travel needs for India by Indian travel agent.

Only men take part in this dance and they form pairs and dance in circle to the rhythmic beat of the sticks, which they hold as props in hands. Folk songs are sung along with Kolkali.

Dancers form different alignments in the course of dance at slow pace but it bursts in a frenzied tempo later. The famous Dances of Lakshadweep Kolkali & Parichakali. Special Holidays with very attractive and discounted packages and hotel bookings.

Parichakali ( Shield dance )
Paricha means a shield and the dance performed with sword and shields, is called Parichakali.

This is a martial art form and the shields and sword used are made up of very soft wood. There is sometimes dual combats depicting ancient warriors.

Song which is sung along with this dance are classical and of longer duration than that of Kolkali.

The bravery of the early warriors is depicted through Parichakali. The depiction of freedom struggle is also done through this dance form. Special Holidays with very attractive and discounted packages and hotel bookings.

Like Kolkali, this dance also begins first at slow pace and then culminates in a crescendo

Enjoy tours to Lakshadweep Dances and enjoy various dance forms in Lakshadweep Islands. Contact South India Tour Travel for more details.

Lakshadweep music, like its culture is reminiscent of Kerala because the people who inhabit Lakshadweep originally hailed from Kerala. Even the language used, i.e. Malayalam, is same for both the places. Till 7 th century the predominating religion was Hinduism which changed later with the coming of arrival of Hazrat Ubaidullah and today 93% of the population of Lakshadweep are Muslims. Over the years, these incidents resulted in the development of a new cultural fabric interwoven with the old. Today, music of Lakshadweep is highly influenced by Islam. Special Holidays with very attractive and discounted packages and hotel bookings.

Singing folk ballads depicting stories of the historical past is common during family occasions and festivities. The theme varies from incidents relating to the arrival of Hazrat Ubaidullah in the archipelago of Lakshadweep, to, the ransack of the islands by the Portuguese. The balladeer with his immense talent keeps everybody engaged in the stories. Marriage performances invariably see 'Opana' that refers to a song sung by a lead singer and followed immediately by a group of women. Indian travel agent gives special discounted hotel from budget hotels to Deluxe hotels in India.

The popular dance forms of Lakshadweep like the Kolkali dance, Parichakali dance, Lava dance and others are accompanied by songs that are typical to the dance itself. They are sung in accompaniment of various folk musical instruments. Indian travel agent gives special discounted hotel from budget hotels to Deluxe hotels in India. The beautiful archipelago of Lakshadweep with its picturesque islands fill with the echo of the folk music as the simple people gather together to enjoy in merriment. They dress in colorful dresses and chunky jewelry and sing and dance to the simple joys of life with enchanting Lakshadweep music.