Oppana

{{Short description|Muslim dance form in Kerala, India}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}

{{Infobox dance

| name = Oppana

| image = Oppana at Kerala school kalolsavam 2019 3.jpg

| caption = Oppana at 2019 Kerala School Kalolsavam

| native_name = {{lang|ml|ഒപ്പന}}

| etymology = Derived from an Arabic word Affna

| genre = Muslim dance form

| origin = Kerala, India

}}

Oppana is a popular form of social entertainment among the Mappila (Kerala Muslims) community of Kerala, South India, prevalent throughout Kerala, especially in Malabar.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/11/14/stories/2008111450760300.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125135232/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/11/14/stories/2008111450760300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-01-25|title=Reinventing tradition|last=P.K.|first=Ajith Kumar|date=2008-11-14|work=The Hindu|access-date=2009-08-15}} The term Oppana is believed to be originated from the Arabic word "Affna".{{Cite web|url=http://www.keralaculture.org/oppana/23|title = Oppana - the popular Muslim art form}} Oppana is traditionally used in various important cultural ceremonies, and in particular, is a component of all Mappila weddings. In Kerala, this art form has been revived with much popularity on the performing stages of the Youth Festivals of the student community.

File:Oppana @VAST.jpgOppana is generally presented by females, numbering about fifteen, including musicians, on a wedding day. The bride dressed in all finery, covered with gold ornaments and her palms and feet adorned with an intricately woven pattern of mylanchi (henna), sits amidst the circle of dancers. She is the chief spectator sitting on a peetam (chair), around which the singing and dancing take 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.arabnews.com/?page=9§ion=0&article=90096&d=18&m=12&y=2006&pix=community.jpg&category=Features|title=Oppana — a Popular Form of Art

|date=2006-12-16|publisher=Arab News|access-date=2009-08-15}}

Sometimes, Oppana is also presented by males to entertain the bridegroom. It usually takes place just before the bridegroom leaves for the bride's residence where the Nikah (marriage) takes place or at the time he enters the Maniyara.{{cite book|last=Porter|first=James |author2=Rice, Timothy |author3=Goertzen, Chris|title=The Garland encyclopedia of world music|publisher=Alexander Street Press|volume=8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZOlNv8MAXIEC&q=oppana&pg=RA2-PA947|access-date=2009-08-15| isbn=978-0-8240-4946-1|year=1998 }}

Harmonium, tabla, ganjira and elathaalam are the musical instruments employed for this performance. Only the 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 and 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.{{cite book|last=P.J.|first=Varghese|author2=Ramachandran, K.R |author3=Kurian, P.S. |title=Festivals of Kerala|publisher=Tourist Desk|location=Cochin|year=1993}}