Oppana
A popular source of social entertainment in the Malabar districts of Kerala, Oppana is generally presented by a group of around 15 females on a wedding day with the accompany of musicians. The bride dressed in all finery, covered with gold ornaments and her palms and feet adorned with an intricately woven pattern of mylanchi , sits amidst the circle of dancers. She is the chief spectator sitting on a peetam (chair), around which the singing and dancing take place. While they sing, they clap their hands rhythmically and move around the bride using simple steps. Two or three girls begin the songs and the rest join in chorus. The themes are often teasing comments and innuendoes about the bride's anticipated nuptial bliss. The rythmic and systematic clapping of hands and choruses are a joy to watch.
The Oppana are also presented by men at times to entertain the bridegroom before he leaves for the bride's residence for marriage (Nikaah).Harmonium, Tabla, Ganjira and Elathaalam are the musical instruments employed for this performance along with a rendition of the Mapilapattu. The word Oppana may have been derived from an Arabic form Afna. There are two types of Oppana, Chayal and Murukkam with the former involving clapping and the other devoid of it.
The Oppana are also presented by men at times to entertain the bridegroom before he leaves for the bride's residence for marriage (Nikaah).Harmonium, Tabla, Ganjira and Elathaalam are the musical instruments employed for this performance along with a rendition of the Mapilapattu. The word Oppana may have been derived from an Arabic form Afna. There are two types of Oppana, Chayal and Murukkam with the former involving clapping and the other devoid of it.
