A confluence of theatre, satire, music, painting and dance, Padayani is an art form performed in Pathanamthitta, Central Travancore. A part of an ancient ritual, this dance is performed in Bhagavati temples, located on the banks of the Pampa river, in honour of Goddess Bhadrakali. The dancers wear elaborate masks and perform this vigorous dance. Kolam thullal is the best-known mask that is made by drawing patterns on leaves of areca nut. These masks are believed to be a representation of divine characters and spiritual forces.

Renowned all over the world, the magnificent Kathakali dance is one of the seven classical forms in India. Originating about 300 years ago, it is a blend of dance, music, drama, devotion, make-up and costumes. Woven so as to represent tales of the past and scenes from the Indian epics, the dance leaves spectators in awe.

Visiting the city of Kochi, during the Kochi Biennale, feels like stepping in an art wonderland, where vibrant colours, striking images and eloquent patterns greet you at every turn. Not just restricted to a convoy of canvases, this international contemporary art exhibition, the biggest in India, soaks the whole city in its festive charm, with walls of houses, cafes and other buildings donning the colours of the artists for the occasion. The Biennale is a four-month-long exhibition that is held at the epicentre of the city, Fort Kochi. As you wander around, installations, seminaries, stalls and exhibitions, set across 12 venues, enthral you with artistic expressions. An unmissable activity for tourists is visiting the installations that give them an intimate experience of the art. One such example is 'The Pyramid for Exiled Poets', by Ales Steger that was shown at one of the earlier Biennales. Built like a pyramid of Giza, it has no light to guide visitors, who hear the moving poems of the poets of that time and struggle to find their way around; a simulation designed to make them feel how those artistes might have felt.

The city of Kochi lights up during the Cochin Carnival that is a celebration of life and vigour. Generally, held during the last two weeks of December, the carnival hosts multiple competitions and activities like vadam vali (tug of war), kalam vara (floor art), beach football, swimming, marathon racing, cycle racing, bullet racing, kayaking, boxing, kabaddi and beach bike racing. For those with a mellower spirit, art shows, musical concerts and elaborate rallies can be an amazing option. A major attraction in the carnival is the burning of the effigy of Papanai between December 31 and January 1. This is done to bid goodbye to the past year and welcome the new one. The burning is believed to cast away evil and initiate birth. It is followed by a splendid display of fireworks. The finale is held on January 1 and it is a special day as a grand procession, headed by a caparisoned elephant, is taken out.