Kathakali is a form of Indian dance-drama. It originated in the South Indian state of Kerala over 500 years ago and is considered one of the oldest dance forms in India. It is a spectacular combination of drama, dance, music and ritual. Characters with vividly painted faces and elaborate costumes re-enact stories from the Hindu epics, Mahabharatha and Ramayana.

Kathakali is considered to be a combination of five forms of fine art:

• Literature (Sahithyam)
• Music (Sangeetham)
• Painting (Chithram)
• Acting (Natyam)
• Dance (Nritham)

Kathakali plays

Almost always, the viewer is told or is supposed to have knowledge of the story being enacted before the start of a Kathakali play.

The most popular stories enacted are Nala Charitam (the story of a king betrayed by gods), Duryodhana Vadham (a story from the Mahabharata), Kalyanasowgandhikam (the story of Bhima going to

Recently, as part of an attempt at popularizing the art, stories from other cultures, such as the story of Mary Magdalene from the Bible, and Shakespeare's King Lear have also been adapted into Katahkali scripts.

Music

The language of the songs used for Katahkali is a mix of Malayalam and Sanskrit. Several poets like Unnayi Warrier have contributed a Kathakali script which is called Kathakali Padam. Each "Padam" is a poem recited in one of the Karnatic music ragas.

Performance

The Kathakali show is usually conducted at night and ends in early morning. The actors will be accompanied by percussionists and singers. The lead singer controls the entire show with rythmic beats of a special musical instrument.

Acting

A Kathakali actor uses immense concentration, skill and physical stamina, gained from training based on Kalaripayattu, the

There are 24 main mudras and numerous other lesser mudras. Each can again can be classified into 'Samaana-mudras'(one mudra symbolizing two entities) or misra-mudras (both the hands are used to show these mudras).

The main facial expressions of a Kathakali artist are the 'navarasams' ( 'Navarasas' in anglicised form )(literal translation: Nine Tastes, but more loosely translated as nine feelings or expressions) which are Sringaaram (amour), Haasyam (ridicule, humour), Bhayam (fear), Karunam (pathos), Rowdram (anger, wrath), Veeram (valour), Beebhatsam (disgust), Adbhutham (wonder, amazement), Saantham (tranquility, peace).

Drummers, singers, make-up artists and costumers complete the ensemble of highly trained specialists, to present a Kathakali performance.

Famous Kathakali actors

• Guru Kunchu Kurup

Other forms

Kerala Natanam is a new dance form developed and stylised by the illustrious dancer Dr. Guru Gopinath.

Make-up

One of the most interesting aspects of Kathakali is its elaborate make-up code. The make-up has five main parts to it namely Pacha, Kathi, Kari, Thaadi, and Minukku (meaning green, knife, black, beard or jaw, and polish). Characters are categorized according to their nature. This determines the colours used in the make-up. The faces of noble male characters, such as virtuous kings, the divine hero Rama, etc., are predominantly green. Characters of high birth who have an evil streak, such as the demon king Ravana, are allotted a similar green make-up, slashed with red marks on the cheeks. Extremely angry or excessively evil characters wear predominantly red make-up and a flowing red beard. Forest dwellers such as hunters are represented with a predominantly black make-up base. Women and ascetics have lustrous, yellowish faces.

See also

• Arts of Kerala
• Mohiniyattam
• Koodiyattam
• Thulall
• Panchavadyam
• Kerala Kalamandalam

Kathakaliml:കഥകളി Kathakalita:கதகளி