[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/qNP8eiEJ4ao?f=user_uploads&app=youtube_gdata]

Video of Chavittunatakam, a dance-drama popular among the Christians of Kerala. This art form originated among the Latin catholics during the early days of Portuguese occupation. The scholars Chinnathambi Pillai and Vedanayakam Pillai, who lived in the 17th century, are the inventors of this dance. The themes usually are heroic tales from the Christian lore. The colourful costumes remind one of Greco – Roman soldiers and early European Kings. Influence of opera and Keralite art forms including Kalarippayattu can be seen. Importance is given to rhythmic high – stepping. Besides western instruments like violin, flute, bulbul and harmonium, native instruments like chenda, padathamberu, maddalam, large gongs and tabla are also seen used in the plays. Copyright of this video vests with Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.