Naikkar Kali is one ritualistic folk art forms prevalent among the Naikkar tribes of Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. It is mainly performed in relation to their Kula Daivam (ancestral god). There are many ritualistic elements included in the performance and it is performed as a pooja to the family deities during marriages.
Performed by a group of 15 people, Thappu (percussion instruments) and Kuzhal (a wind instrument) are the main musical instruments used in Naikar Kali. The performers wear jingling anklets and move rhythmically clockwise and anticlockwise in tune with the instruments. They also shout ‘Hoy, Hoy’ in between the performance.
