The state of Kerala possesses a rich cultural heritage because of diversity in the land. It has more than thirty five different types of tribal people and tribal dances like Elelakkaradi, Paniyarkali and Mankali. These dance forms have though witnessed several challenges, yet had survived till the present moments. Besides the classical dances, folk dances, dance dramas and semi-classical dances of the region, Tribal Dance forms of Kerala have also been recognized as a creative expression all over the world. These popular dances of the region reflect the myriad culture, tradition and rituals of the land and reveal all its cultural glory.

Kurumbar Nritham is among the Tribal Dance forms of Kerala. The Waynad district has different types of hill tribes and the kurumbar and the kattunayakar are the most prominent among them. These tribes perform this special type of dance which is related to marriages. The dance is performed both before marriage and after marriage by the members of the families of both the bride and bridegroom. In addition to that the newly wedded couple also performs this dance.

Tribal Dance forms of Kerala include Kaanikkar Nritham. It is a group dance of the kanikkar tribes in Kerala. The steps of the dancers beautifully coordinate with the waving of the hands and beating of drums. Elelakkaradi is a common dance among the Tribals of Kerala called Irulas of Attappadi in Palakkad District. It is a heroic group dance in which almost the whole Irular community of men, women and children participate. The dance resembles the fight of the people against the wild bears which often attack their tribal hamlets. The dance highlights various stages to depict the step by step fight against the wild beasts.

Kaadar Nritham is one of the tribal Dance forms of Kerala where only women participate. This dance form is popular among the Kadar tribes of Cochin Forests and is a primitive form. It is simple but a very elegant dance form. The performers arrange themselves in a semicircle. They hold the tip of their clothes in their hands to the level of the waist while waving it to various rhythms of the dance. Paravalli Kali is also recognised as among the tribal dance forms of Kerela. It is a mixed dance of the aboriginals of dense forest of Travancore area. Both men and women participate in this tribal form of dance. They dance holding arms together, or shoulder to shoulder, linked in a backlock posture. The linked arms swing to the rhythm in a fascinating wavelike movement. The dance develops into variety of pleasing pattern and the men and women change their positions with amazing speed.

Tribal dance forms of Kerela present exclusive forms. Thavala Kali is one such example of the tribal dance where a number of participants, usually boys, jump one above the other in succession while imitating the leaps of the frog. Kooran Kali and Man Kali are quite similar to one another. Koorankali is a tribal dance where one man takes the role of a wild bear with another enacting the role of hunting dog. The movements are perfectly timed to the rhythmic beats of primitive drums. During the performance, large number of onlookers forms a circle round the two dancers, with cries of joy and occasional clapping of hands and jerky dances. Man kali depicts the episode from Ramayana. This dance form represents the moment when Sita was being enchanted by Maricha in the guise of a golden deer. The whole drama is enacted in graceful movements.

Paniyar Kali is a masculine dance form performed by the men folks of Panyar tribes of Wayand district. About eight or ten dancers take part in the dance and stand in a circle with hands linked together. They move around with rhythmic flexions of the body. As the dancers gather momentum the circle is swiftly expanded and contracted and the dancers utter peculiar cries which gradually reach to a high pitch. Edaya Nritham is the dance form of men and women from the tribal shepherds. In this dance form one of the shepherds sings. This is repeated in chorus by all the rest. As the singing is continues one of them imitates the special sounds of shepherds driving their sheep. The dance consists of someone of the group crying successively to imitate the wild animals while the other members of the group adeptly bring out the terror on their faces.

Tribal dance forms of Kerela also include Naikar Kali and Gadhika. Naikar Kali is popular ritualistic dance practised among the tribes in Wyanad and Malappuram districts. This is performed as to offer prayers to the family deities during marriage ceremonies. Naikars perform to the tunes of the instruments, the Thappu and the Kuzhal. They dance around in clock-wise and anti-clockwise movements to the accompaniment of the instruments with the jingling anklets around their legs. Gadhika is a ritual dance which is performed by Adiya tribes of Wayanad district. This dance is meant to care ailments and for having a safe delivery of child. This dance form begins with the principal performer invoking Lord Siva for his help to cure the patients. Several legends are associated with this dance form. According to popular beliefs, once Lord Siva was brought down to earth and he was pleaded by the invocations of the worshippers. The other gods, goddesses were enrolled by the performance. The gods such as Chamundi, Maniamma, Malankali (Siva) and Karinkali were there. The participants include both mostly men. The men dressed as women act to welcome the gods and goddesses arriving in response to the summons from Siva. Mudiyattom also known as Neelilayattom, is another tribal dance in the state.

Tribal Dance forms of Kerela are unique examples of communities that belong to isolated existence, but still preserving their life, customs and manners. Though their dialects and customs are adapted, yet artistic expression evidently reflects the distinct, secluded and primitive social structure and nature of the people. Kerela still witnesses survival in the tribal hamlets of the hilly tracts. Each of these aboriginal tribes presents their own distinct dance tradition and invariably all of them are interwoven with the life of the people.