Kathakali - cultural and theoretical context
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What is Kathakali and where did it originate?
Kathakali is a type of dance-drama that originates in south Asia. It was first discovered between the sixteenth and seventeenth century in the Malayan speaking areas of south-west India, now known as the Kerala state. Kathakali can be compared to Japanese noh and Chinese Jingju as it has only become known internationally in the last thirty to thirty-five years. The majority of Kathakali dance-drama is used to perform Indian epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata or stories for the purunas encyclopedic collections of stories and knowledge.
Kathakali is a type of dance-drama that originates in south Asia. It was first discovered between the sixteenth and seventeenth century in the Malayan speaking areas of south-west India, now known as the Kerala state. Kathakali can be compared to Japanese noh and Chinese Jingju as it has only become known internationally in the last thirty to thirty-five years. The majority of Kathakali dance-drama is used to perform Indian epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata or stories for the purunas encyclopedic collections of stories and knowledge.
Kathakali Dance-Drama: Where Gods and Demons Come to Play
Kathakali has become more and more popular in the past 15 years. Tourist who visit Kerala all want to go see a Kathakali dance-drama piece, this has increased the spread of this particular theatrical practice. It has not only increased in popularity within Kerala with casual tourists, but also with western performers, this has meant that Kathakali performances have been increasingly shown in western countries.
The Kathakali Complex: Performance & Structure
Kathakali originates from the state of Kerala. Kerala has a population with Hindus, Christians and Muslims all living together in harmony. In Kerala they speak Malayalam which has a high percentage of words derived from Sanscrit. Kathakali means 'Story-Play' and is a unique art form. Kathakali has been likened to ballet, a miracle play, a dance-drama, an opera and a pantomime.
Elements of Kathakali are noticeable in the ancient ritual plays of hindu temples and dance forms that have been developed in Kerala since the 2nd Century until the 16th Century. Kathakali is a continuation of older traditions that did not fully form until the Rajah of Kottorakkara wrote plays based off the Hindu Epic the Ramayana. Kathakali started to emerge as the 'peoples theatre' from traditional plays of the past.
Ramayana and Mahabharata best Kathakali plays. Kathakali as we see it now dates back to the time when shakespeare was writing plays. The performances were given in Malabar at the time by troupes who were formed by the patronage of the local rajahs and other noblemen.
A guide to Kathakali - David Bolland
What are the conventions of Kathakali?
Makeup - actors makeup is thick enough to provide a mask like feature. This is unusual as most other Indian originated theatre practices usually use masks to hide movements of face and eyes. Colorful face paints made from various stones and powders mixed with coconut oil.
Costume - enormous skirt containing 55 yards of material. A woolen jacket draped with lengths of cloth. Almost identical.
Headdresses - differ between characters
No scenery required - everything is describes by mudras and facial expression.
At front of the stage there is a large bellmetal lamp - however now a days use of floor lights.
Music - two drummers standing at the back of the stage on the left.
Mudras - hand gestures are used to explain the story. No words are spoken throughout the performance. However this convention is dying out in modern performances as the younger generations down't understand mudras as well. Is a sort of sign-language.
Starts at 8pm and continues to dawn of the following afternoon.
35 well known plays - usually performed for the Mahabharata and the Ramayana
A guide to Kathakali - David Bolland
Meisadhakam movements - Body movements used to convey the story.
Chuzhippu - dance steps used to convey story
Kathakali - the art of the non-worldly - Marg Publications
Makeup - actors makeup is thick enough to provide a mask like feature. This is unusual as most other Indian originated theatre practices usually use masks to hide movements of face and eyes. Colorful face paints made from various stones and powders mixed with coconut oil.
Costume - enormous skirt containing 55 yards of material. A woolen jacket draped with lengths of cloth. Almost identical.
Headdresses - differ between characters
No scenery required - everything is describes by mudras and facial expression.
At front of the stage there is a large bellmetal lamp - however now a days use of floor lights.
Music - two drummers standing at the back of the stage on the left.
Mudras - hand gestures are used to explain the story. No words are spoken throughout the performance. However this convention is dying out in modern performances as the younger generations down't understand mudras as well. Is a sort of sign-language.
Starts at 8pm and continues to dawn of the following afternoon.
35 well known plays - usually performed for the Mahabharata and the Ramayana
A guide to Kathakali - David Bolland
Meisadhakam movements - Body movements used to convey the story.
Chuzhippu - dance steps used to convey story
Kathakali - the art of the non-worldly - Marg Publications
