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 17^th 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.

 koothampalam

 

                                              DURYODHANAVADHAM