Oppana

A dance form essential to the wedding entertainment and festivities of Muslim community in Kerala especially the Malabar Muslims. Maidens and young female relatives sing and dance around the bride, clapping their hands. The songs of Mappilappattu are first sung by the leader and are repeated by the chorus. The themes are often teasing comments and innuendos about the bride's anticipated nuptial bliss. Oppana is often presented as a stage item today. Oppana is presented by females, numbering about fifteen including musicians. The bride dressed in all finery, covered with gold ornaments is the chief spectator who is seated on a chair. Around the bride the singing and dancing takes 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 in chorus. Sometimes Oppana is also performed by males to entertain the bridegroom. It usually takes place just before the bridegroom leaves for the bride's residence where the marriage takes place or at the time he enters the Maniyara. Harmonium, Thabala, Ganjira and Elathaalam are the musical instruments employed for this performance. Only Mappilapaattu will be sung on the occasion. The word Oppana may have been derived from an Arabic form Afna. There are two types of Oppana, one is Oppana chayal another is Oppana murukkam. When Oppana chayal is performed, they do not clap their hands. If it begins with Chayal it would also end with Chayal only.