Chavittunatakam a Christian art form of Kerala. Evolved at the turn of the 16th Century AD during the Portuguese colonization and bears definite traces of the European Christian Miracle Play. As a theatrical art form, developed under the churches, the actors in addition to the dialogue and songs, stamp the wooden platform with their feet to the tune of music. In this musical drama, the actors wear Greco-Roman costumes and even the stage props bear several foreign influences. In the past, the Chavittunatakom was performed on open stages, though sometimes the interior of a church was also a venue. The language is a colloquial mix of Tamil and Malayalam.Today this art form is almost defunct

Theyyam is one of the most outstanding ancient dance form of North Kerala. There are so many Bagavathu Kavus and Thraravadu in Payyanur and nearby villages where Theyyam is performed . The word 'Theyyam' originated from 'Daivam' means nothing but God. The Theyyam or Kolam (a form or shape), represents a mythological, divine or heroic character. There are around 400 Theyyams in northern Kerala. The bizarre head dresses, costumes and body painting and trance like performances are very extraordinary. Each one has a distinguishing headgear and costume made out of natural materials like coconut leaves and bark. Musical accompaniments are chenda, elathalam and kuzhal (horn). The Theyyams are exclusively performed by the male members of the traditional caste groups like Malayan, Vannan, Navilan, Pulayan, Koppalan and Velan. They actually belong to the scheduled castes and tribes. Female roles are also enacted by men wearing suitable makeup and colourful costumes. During the festival season between January and April, Theyyam performances can be seen in most of the Bagavathy Kavu (Temple) at North Malabar during December - April of every year.

The Thiruvathira festival falls on the asterism Thiruvathira in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December-January). The origin of the festival is shrouded in obscurity. The people celebrate this festival with age-old tradition and they do it with great joy and respect for the past. The Ardra Darshan celebrated in Tamil Nadu corresponds to Thiruvathira of Kerala. It is considered to be high auspicious to worship Siva and the devotees go to the temple before sunrise for 'darshan'. Apart from the worship in the Siva temple, there is very little celebration in the houses. Tradition has it that Thiruvathira festival is celebrated in commemoration of the death of Kamadeva, the mythological God of love. According to another version Thiruvathira is the birth day of Lord Siva.

Even though the Thiruvathira is celebrated by most of the Hindu communities it is essentially an event for Nair women. They get up at about 4 am and take a bath on seven days commencing from the asterism Aswathi. While taking a bath they sing certain songs mostly relating to the God of Love, accompanied by rhythmic sound produced by splashing water with their fists. In conclusion they stand in a circle in the water hand in hand singing songs. Thiruvathira is a day of fasting and the women discard the ordinary rice meal on that day, but only take preparations of chama (panicum milicceum) or wheat. Other items of their food include plantain fruits, tender coconuts, etc. They also chew betel and redden their lips. Among Namboodiris, Ambalavasis (temple-servants) and high class Nairs, there is a convention that each woman should chew 108 betels on that day. The first Thiruvathira coming after the marriage of a girl is known as Puthen Thiruvathira or Poothiruvathira and it is celebrated on a grand scale.

Poorakkali is the own folk art of North Malabar. Payyanur and nearby places like Vengara, Ramanthali, Karivellur, Trikaripur are very famous for this art form. The names of Mambalam Raman Panikkar, Vengara Krishna Panikkar and Ramanthali Krishnan Panikkar are some of the names always remembered in Poorakkali. 'Poorakali' is a traditional art form performed by a group of people chanting the holy verses from 'Ramayana' or 'Bagavata'. During the 'Pooram' season boys and men used to perform this art in all evening. Poorakkali was a ritual dance performed by men during the nine day Pooram festival in Bhagavathy temples. The festival, to propitiate Kamadeva ( the god of love), begins with the Karthika asterism and concludes on the pooram asterism of the Malayalam month of Meenam (Pisces). Performed by a group of young men in loin clothes, this pirouette around a huge multi-decked 'nilavilakku' involves a lot of martial skills and masculine movements. Maruthukali, a sort of competition, also forms a part of Poorakkali. This includes scholarly debates on grammar, literature and mythology. Maruthukali is lead by two Panikkars (eminent Poorakkali artistes) who are well versed in mythology, grammar and music. Payyanur and nearby villages like Karivellur, Ramanthali, Trikaripur has donated various Masters for this traditional art form.

Kolkali is a folk art performed mainly by the agrarian classes. It is a highly rhythmic dance with the dancers wielding short sticks. The rhythm of this dance is set by a harmonious synchronisation of the tapping of feet to the clapping of sticks.

The movement is circular and the artists sing as they dance and strike the sticks in unision. Though the dancers break away to form different patterns, they never miss a beat. In Malabar, Kolkkali is more popular among Muslim men.

Kolkali is a group dance mainly performed by the Muslims. In this highly rhythmic dance, the performers hold short sticks in their hands with which they make the rhythm by beating them. It is performed to the accompaniment of vocal music consisting of meaningless syllables followed by songs. The dance goes from slow to a fast tempo creating an interesting climax. The dancers are specially trained and often experienced in martial arts. Males only participate in Kolkali.

The Aryans, who came to this land centuries before the beginning of the Christian Era, brought with them the language Sanskrit and their culture. They introduced a new dance form, Koodiyattam, which, unlike the most other dance forms, include women participants. Since Koodiyattam performances are proffered as offerings to the deity, they are enacted only in temples. For the purpose, many temples have beautiful pavilions within their precincts which are known as Koothambalam, with high sloping roofs covered with metal sheetings.

A Koodiyattam performance is a long drawn-out affair, taking place at night and lasting for days. The story unfolds liesurely, and the text is augmented by the performers by expanding upon them with anecdotes, satire and innuendos. Politics, Philosophy and Social behaviour are covered in the comments. The pivotal role in these performances belong to the Jester, as he is the only one who speaks and the language is Malayalam. He translates the Sanskrit Version with a touch of humour. He also acts as a bridge between the actor and the audience