KATHAKALI
The traditional themes of the kathakali are
folk mythologies, religious legends and spiritual ideas from the Hindu epics
and the puranas. The term Kathakali is derived from katha whichmeans “story, or
a conversation,or a traditional tale”, and kali which means “performance and
art”.
Kathakali is one of the major forms of classical Indian dance.Kathakali primarily
developed as a Hindu performance art in the Malayalam speaking Southwestern regions of India(kerala).
Kathakali’s roots are unclear. The fully developed
style of kathakali originated around the 17th century. A kathakali
performance, like all classical dance arts of India, includes music, vocal
performers, hand and facial gestures to express ideas and foot work.
Five basic makeups are used in kathakali, Pacha(green),Kathi(knife),Kari(black),Thaadi(beard)
Krishnanattom is the likely immediate precursor of kathakali,
states zarrilly. Krishnanattom is
dance-drama art form about the life and activities of Hindu god Krishna.
The makeup follows an accepted code, that helps the
audience easily identify the archetypical characters such as gods,
goddesses,demons, demonesses,saints,animals and characters of a story.
Music is central to a kathakali performance. It
sets the mood and triggers emotions resonant with the nature of the scene.The
instruments used are Maddalam,Centa,and
Idaykka.
Kerala kalamandalam is a major centre for kathakali
studies.
DURYODHANAVADHAM
