It is a combined dance drama conducted by the Chakyars (a subcaste among Hindus) who play the male caste traditionally in the State of Kerala. The women of the Nambiar caste play the female roles. The performance lasts from 6 to 20 days. They are mainly enacted inside the temples and the theme is based on Hindu mythology.
The character “Vidushaka” explains in simple Malayalam the background of the story and gives a live image of the characters in the minds of the audiences. All other characters perform using the Sanskrit language. Mizhavu is the major musical instrument used here.
