Vanishing Temple Arts: (temples of Kerala & Kanyaakumaari District)

Books dealing with ritualistic music, devotional dance forms and allied arts of Kerala arerare. Not much research has gone deep into these areas which cut across the periphery andsuperficial layers and touch the real core. The reasons could be many the practitionersinability to verbalise the content and substance of their art and their inhibition to violatethe rigid, protective, orthodox rules and norms intended to preserve their sanctity.The concept of Sangeetam that is Geetam, Vadyam and Nrityam or the Triad Arts, existedbefore fifteenth century, is still in vogue in the music of Kerala temples.This book deals with the Sopaana music, the traditional music of Kerala and seeks tothrow light on various ritualistic music and musical instruments and ritualistic dance Thalinanka Nrityam the precursor of Mohiniattam. Many facts and information relatedto the three areas, which were rarely known have been identified through systematicresearch of primary and secondary sources, especially the information contained in theold palm leaf manuscripts collected from ancient families and temples. It is hoped thatthe work will pave the way for those who want to go further in studying the temple arts ofKerala.