KATHAKALI

Kathakali is a beautiful amalgam of DRAVIDIAN and ARYAN elements.As we all know Aryans arrived in Kerala during the commencement of the C.E. As history says where ever they settled they fought and imposed their supremacy over the indigenous people and pushed them to the lower strata.But fortunately the merge was not so bad in Kerala , and there seems to have been a more peaceful blending of these two diverse races. As far as Kathakali is concerned the outer appearance is that of Dravidian culture - the make up and costumes , the dance patterns , percussion instruments etc. The themes and sources of stories , the manner of artistic expression of emotions and the theory of Rasa (aesthetic sentiment) are adopted from Aryan culture. For example the name itself KATHA-Aryan , KALI-Dravidian.

MANIPURI

HISTORY : Maharaja Gambhir Singh (1825-1834 C.E) composed two parengs of the tandava type , the Goshtha Bhangi Pareng and the Goshtha Vrindavan Pareng. Maharaja Chandra Kirti Singh (1849-1886 C.E) composed at least 64 pung choloms (DRUM DANCES) and two parengs of the Lasya type , the Vrindaban Bhangi Pareng and Khrumba Bhangi Pareng.The composition of the Nitya Ras is also attributed to him.I happened to witness Manuri dance repertoire recently . The Pung choloms or DRUM DANCES are indeed a marvel to witness.The trained drummers dance to the beat in a very harmonious way and a lot of rigorous practise is required for the same to accomplish such a feat.If RASA LILA is slow and enchanting to watch the latter leaves us dumbstruck!