Oppana
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
A lively group song-and-dance of the Mappila Muslims of Kerala, performed with clapping around the bride at weddings.
FolkWhere: Kerala, especially the Malabar regionOccasion: Weddings, mainly the evening before the wedding, and school and college festivals
| Performed by | Groups of about ten to fifteen young women around the bride; men’s groups also perform at the bridegroom’s side |
|---|---|
| Costume | Bright long skirts and blouses with head scarves and gold jewellery; the bride sits in the centre in her finery |
| Music and instruments | Mappila songs (mappilappattu) sung by a lead singer and chorus; rhythm kept by clapping hands |
How it is performed
- The bride sits on a decorated seat (peetham) in the middle.
- The dancers stand in a circle around her and the lead singer begins a song.
- The group repeats the lines, clapping in rhythm and stepping around the bride.
- The pace quickens as the songs go on, with the dancers bending, turning and clapping in time.
Significance
Oppana is a cherished part of Mappila weddings and keeps alive the tradition of mappilappattu, songs in Malayalam mixed with Arabic words.