Culture of Malabar Mappilas

Oppana ഒപ്പന

It is a popular form of social entertainment among the mappila community of Kerala, south India, prevalent all over, especially in the northern districts of Kannur, Calicut, and Malappuram. It is generally presented by females, numbering about fifteen including musicians, a day before a wedding. The bride, dressed in all finery, covered with gold ornaments, is the chief spectator; she sits on a peetam, 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 the chorus.





Men’s Oppana





Mappila Paattukal / Mappila Songs

Mappila Paattukal or Mappila Songs are folklore Muslim devotional songs in the Malayalam language sung by Muslims (Mappilas) of Malabar. The first gramophone record in Malayalam language was a Mappila song. In 1925, Gul Mohammed, father of actor KG Sathar recorded his voice in gramophone. Even though many Mappila songs were released thereafter on records, only a few of them are considered as authentic Mappila songs.





Duff Muttu

Duff Muttu (also: Dubh Muttu) is an art form prevalent among Muslims in Kerala state of south India. Basically Duff or Dubh is a music instrument made of wood and ox skin. It is also called Thappitta. Participants play this and dance. In certain areas, instead of Duff or Dubh, Arabana is used. This was performed in Madina in Saudi Arabia.






Kolkali

Kolkali is the traditional art of Malabar Mappilas.