Kavadiyattam, a colourful ritual art, is a votive offering to Lord Subramanya. and widely prevalent in the Subramanya temples all over Kerala during the festival seasons.

Kavadiyattam literally means dance carrying a kavadi. Kavadies are usually of different sizes and shapes, each with its own significance. Pookavadi is one decorated with brightly coloured artificial flowers, a mayilpeeli kavadi decorated using only peacock feathers and ambalakavadi, one shaped like the gopuram (tower) of a temple. A kavadi can rise up to a height of 10-18 feet.

The dancers twist and spin in a row. A group of such kavadi dancers make an exotic sight. The dancers gradually move in a frenzy, in step with the rising beats of percussion instruments like nadaswaram accompanying the procession.

വിഭിന്നവും വിപുലവുംമാണ് കേരളത്തിലെ പ്രാചീന കലാരൂപങ്ങൾ