Kathakali
Kerala owes its transnational fame to this nearly 300 years
old classical dance form which combines facets of ballet,
opera, masque and the pantomime. It is said to have evolved
from other performing arts like Kootiyattam, Krishnanattam
and Kalarippayattu. Kathakali explicates ideas and stories
from the Indian epics and Puranas.
Presented in the temple precincts after
dusk falls Kathakali is heralded by the Kelikottu or the
beating of drums in accompaniment of the Chengila (gong).
The riches of a happy blending of colour, expressions, music,
drama and dance is unparallelled in any other art form
Kathakali Make-up
Costume is elaborate with the face painted up. Great importance
is laid on the Vesham or make-up which are of five types
- Pacha, Kathi, Thadi, Kari and Minukku.
The pomp and magnificence of Kathakali
is partly due to its decor part of which is the kireetam
or huge headgear and the kanchukam the over sized jackets,
and a long skirt worn over a thick padding of cushions.
The identity of the actor is completely mutilated to create
a super human being of larger-than-life proportion.
Pacha (Green)
Pacha Vehsam or the green make-up portray noble protagonists.
Kathi (Knife)
Kathi Vesham portrays villainous characters.
Thadi (Beard)
There are three types of bearded or Thadi Veshams.
"Vella Thadi" or White beard for superhuman monkeys
like Hanuman.
"Chuvanna Thadi" or Red beard is for evil characters.
"Karutha Thadi" or Black beard for the hunter.
Kari (Black)
Kari Vesham is used for she-demons.
Minukku (Prettying Up)
The "Minukku Vesham" is used for female characters
and sages.
Mudra
Mudra is a stylized sign language used to depict an idea,
a situation or a state of being. A Kathakali actor enacts
his ideas through mudras. For this he follows a systematic
sign language based on Hastalakshana Deepika, a treatise
on the language of hand gestures.
Kathakali Music
The orchestra is formed of two varieties of drums - the
maddalam and chenda; the chengila which is a bell metal
gong and the ilathalam or cymbals.
Kathakali Training
Students of Kathakali have to undergo rigorous training
replete with oil massages and separate exercises for eyes,
lips, cheeks, mouth and neck. Abhinaya or expression is
of prime importance as is nritya or dance and geetham or
singing.
Together with highly evocative
facial expressions, the mudras and the music both vocal
and instrumental, Kathakali unfolds stories from a bygone
era in a lofty style reminiscent of the Greek plays. Kerala
Kalamandalam , is the prominent institution imparting Kathakali
training in the traditional way.
