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.

KATHAKALI

ORIGIN :Let us take a peep into the origin of this tastefully colourful art form. As we know the word "KATHAKALI" literally means "STORY-PLAY". And it does narrate a story elaborately , mainly from our epics Mahabharata and Ramayana.If we look into the history , there are no authentic records about the same, a popular belief is that once Kottarakkara Thampuran , the Raja of Kottarakkarahappened to view "KRISHNATTAM" and found it quite appealing. This art was being performed those days under the patronage of ZAMORINS' the rulers of Calicut (Kozhikode -Kerala).When the Thampuran requested for the loan of a troupe of performers ,it was blindly rejected by the latter due to political rivalry.In lieu , the Thampuran created another art form called"RAMANATTAM" which later on developed into "AATTAKATHA" which later on came to be known as KATHAKALI. The multicoloured face mask and the rich flowing costumes can be attributed to the strong rivalry between the two rulers to make the artform undoubtedly spectacular.Krishanttam was writeen in Sanskrit and Rmanattam in Malayalam and Kathakali is written in Manipravalam a combination of both.

KATHAKALI

Kathakali is a harmonious combination of 5 forms of fine art. 1.Literature {Sahithyam} 2.Music {Sangeetham} 3.Painting {Chitram} 4.Acting {Natyam} 5.Dance {Nritham} The role of each of these artforms is very vital in the making of Kathakali , the king of performing arts , particularly theatre. As we have seen in almost all the prior mentioned dance forms it is LASYA { the graceful feminine expression } that is the predominant style , but in Kathakali it is THANDAVA {masculine expression of vigour } that is the predominant style.Hence the movements are often explosive .Delicate movements are rare.Kathakali follows the language of Mudras as described in HASTHALAKSHANADEEPIKA.

KATHAKALI

In old days , Kathakali was presented in the temple precints after dusk falls. Kathakali is heralded by the kelikottu or the beating of drums in accompaniment of the chengila{gong}. The richness of a happy blending of colour , expressions , music, drama and dance is unparallaled in any other art form.Now a days it is performed on stage world over for the convenience of audience.

KATHAKALI

Kathakali is thus said to have evolved from other performing arts like Kootiyattam , Krishnanattam and Klaripayattu.This most sacred DANCE DRAMA of Kerala requires lenghty and rigorous training to attain complete control of the body and a sensitivity to emotion so aas to be able to render all its nuances through facial expressions and hand gestures.Kerala owes its transnational fame to this nearly 300 years old classical dance form which combines facets of ballet , opera ,masque and the pantomime.Kathakali too like the other dances explicates ideas and stories from the Indian epics and Puranas.

KATHAKALI

The history of this artform can be traced back almost 1000 years , where the seed lay embedded in the artform called, "KOODIYATTAM".Koodiyattam is the oldest classical artform of Kerala.It is offered as a votive offering to the deity.Koodiyattam literally means "acting together".Kathakali evolved across during the last 400 to 500 years.The contributiion of Maharaja kartika thirunal Rama Varma to kathakali is incomparable.A descendant of the ancient Chera Kings of South India , he encouraged arts and literature in the 18th century.

KATHAKALI

As a classical art form Kathakali does stand apart from other dances in this category, mainly due to its costume and make-up.It may be totally out of space to a spectator if he doesn't have a proper outline about the story line of the art form being performed on the stage.Whereas any other form will always be appealing to ones senses due to its flawless music and enchanting sways, though different from each other but unique in its own way.Kathakali does share some similarities with various art forms of Kerala.

KATHAKALI

Kathakali is performed to a live musical accompaniment.The accompanists stand on the stage a little away from the performing artists.The make is elaborate and much stylised along with colourful costumes that it is almost impossible to recognise the artist in normal clothes even if you have watched him perform one whole night.Kathakali's means of communication are very structured.So,one certainly needs to have a clear idea of the form to understand or follow a performance.

KATHAKALI

Kathakali is spectacular,colourful,exaggerated and out of the world.The audience sit spell bound at many occasions..!!!The memory lingers on...I still feel the chill of witnessing a "kathakali" repertoire when i was just 8 years old in an open ground.
Kathakali performances narrate many popular portionsfrom Hindu mythology.Most performances are based on Mahabharata,Ramayana,Bhagavatha purana etc.Hence vaishnavite themes occupy a promonent place.There are ofcourse performances based on shaivite themes also.

KATHAKALI

Kathakali is a theatre form of Kerala involving many artistes playing different roles.It is not a solo art form.In the yesterdays only men performed this form donning both male and female roles.Presently there are female performers too,thought not in large numbers.Kathakali is very elaborate , specific and well defined in its make-up technique and costume designing.

KATHAKALI

KATHAKALI ...

AN AWE INSPIRING DANCE DEPICTED IN THE DRAMATIC FORM WHICH USUALLY TELLS A STORY FROM THE MYTHOLOGY..MAINLY MAHABHARATA. THE VALOUR AND VIGOUR OF THE PROTAGONIST IS WELL UNDERSTOOD FROM THE COSTUME.