Welcome Lykkers! We all have to experience the marvel of Kathakali, one of the most iconic and revered classical dance forms of India, originating in the southwestern state of Kerala.

Known for its elaborate costumes, intricate makeup, and expressive storytelling, Kathakali combines elements of dance, drama, and music to depict tales from Indian epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Rooted in Hindu mythology, Kathakali has evolved over centuries and continues to captivate audiences around the world with its vivid expressions and theatrical grandeur.

Etymology

The term Kathakali is derived from katha (Malayalam: കഥ, from Sanskrit) which means "story or a conversation, or a traditional tale", and kali (Malayalam: കളി) which means "performance" or "play". The dance symbolises the eternal fight between good and evil.

Origins and Evolution

Kathakali, a classical dance form rooted in ancient Indian traditions, traces its origins back to the Sanskrit text Natya Shastra, an authoritative treatise on the performing arts composed by the sage Bharata Muni. This text, written sometime between 200 BCE and 500 CE, provides foundational guidelines for Indian dance, music, and drama. Natya Shastra categorizes dance into two primary forms: nrita, which emphasizes pure dance through hand movements and gestures, and nritya, a solo expressive dance focusing on the skill of conveying emotions.

Kathakali shares several elements with Kutiyattam, a traditional form of Sanskrit drama from Kerala. Over time, Kathakali evolved by incorporating aspects of Kerala's folk arts and classical dance forms. Influences from ritualistic art forms like Porattunadakam, Padayani, Teyyam, and Mudiyettu, as well as movements inspired by Kalaripayattu, Kerala's ancient martial art, are distinctly evident in Kathakali's choreography.

Unlike older forms where performers both sang and danced, Kathakali actors focus solely on dance and emotive acting, while a voice artist recites the lines.

Kathakali is believed to have properly developed in the 16th-17th century, with influences from earlier temple dance-drama traditions like Krishnanattam and Kutiyattam. It was patronized by Kerala's royal courts and gradually incorporated more complex stories, movements, and elements of drama. Over the years, Kathakali has transformed from a temple-based art form into a globally recognized classical dance, while preserving its cultural essence and technical rigor.

Key Features of Kathakali

1. Makeup (Chutti) and Costumes:

The makeup in Kathakali is a distinctive art form in itself, symbolizing various character types. Vivid colors like green, red, and black are applied to the face, with each color representing a specific character. The makeup follows a well-established code, making it easier for the audience to recognize archetypal characters like gods, goddesses, demons, saints, animals, and various story figures. There are seven primary types of makeup in Kathakali: Pachcha (green), Pazhuppu (ripe), Kathi, Kari, Thaadi, Minukku, and Teppu (red). These types vary according to the style and dominant colors, created from rice paste and vegetable pigments applied to the face.

Face masks and elaborate headgear enhance each character's essence, and the costume colors follow similar codes, enabling silent visual communication. The intricate makeup process can take hours and plays a vital role in creating Kathakali's unique visual identity. Kathakali dancers wear elaborate costumes, including large, layered skirts, ornate headgear, and jewelry. The costumes add to the visual spectacle and help convey the grandeur of mythological stories.

2. Expressions (Navarasas) and Gestures (Mudras):

Kathakali is renowned for its expressive mudras, which are hand gestures used to convey emotions, actions, and narratives. Dancers undergo rigorous training to master facial expressions and control eye movements, which are crucial in conveying the complex emotions of their characters without spoken words. The actors communicate through a type of sign language where the words are expressed through hand signs (mudras). There are 24 main mudras and numerous more minor ones in Kathakali. There are nine facial expressions called Navarasas.

3. Music and Percussion:

Kathakali performances are accompanied by traditional instruments such as chenda (a type of drum), maddalam(barrel-shaped), and elathalam (cymbals),Idakka (Idakka, hourglass-shaped drum) along with vocalists who narrate the story through songs in Malayalam. The rhythm and intensity of the music align with the emotions of the story, creating an immersive experience.

Themes and Stories

Over 500 kathakali plays (aatakatha) exist. Most Kathakali performances are based on Hindu mythology, depicting tales of gods, demons, and legendary heroes. Popular themes include episodes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, such as the battle between Bhima and Duryodhana or the life of Lord Krishna. Kathakali is especially well-suited for conveying intense themes, with dramatic face paint and costumes creating a larger-than-life effect that brings mythological stories vividly to life.

Modern-Day Kathakali

Traditionally, Kathakali's themes were derived from Hindu epics, myths, and spiritual tales from the Puranas. Today, however, Kathakali troupes have expanded their repertoire to include European legends and adaptations of Western classics, such as the plays of William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Another modern shift is the inclusion of women in Kathakali troupes, breaking from the traditional all-male ensembles.

While traditional performances could last all night, modern Kathakali has been adapted to shorter performances for a broader audience. It is now performed on both national and international stages and remains an essential cultural experience in Kerala, particularly in its temples and cultural festivals. The Kerala Kalamandalam, an arts institution dedicated to Kathakali and other classical forms, continues to preserve and promote this ancient dance-drama form.