Kathakali
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Kerala’s classical dance-drama, in which actors in striking painted faces and huge skirts tell stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata through hand gestures and expressions.
ClassicalWhere: KeralaOccasion: Temple festivals, night-long performances and stage shows
| Performed by | Traditionally male actor-dancers, trained for many years; women also perform today |
|---|---|
| Costume | Coloured face make-up (green for noble heroes, red-streaked for proud villains, black for forest dwellers), large headdresses, wide white skirts and long silver nails |
| Music and instruments | Songs in Manipravalam (a mix of Malayalam and Sanskrit) sung by two singers, with chenda, maddalam, chengila (gong) and elathalam (cymbals) |
How it is performed
- The make-up takes several hours; the face is painted and a rice-paste frame (chutti) is built around it.
- A lit bronze lamp (kalivilakku) is placed at the front of the stage, and the drums announce the performance.
- The singers sing the lines of the story; the actors do not speak but act out every word with mudras (hand gestures) and expressions.
- Eye and eyebrow movements and controlled facial muscles show the nine rasas (emotions).
- Battle scenes and the entry of demons use loud drumming, leaps and stamping, and a performance may last through the night.
Significance
Kathakali grew out of earlier temple arts such as Ramanattam and Krishnanattam and is one of the eight classical dances recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. The Kerala Kalamandalam in Cheruthuruthy is its best-known school.