Katahakali- Colorfull Dance Of Kerala

Katahkali

The classical dance drama o kerla is over 500 year old. Kathakali has a unique combination of literature,music,paintings,acting and dance abhinaya(expression) is heart of kathakali. Kathakali is very color full dance.

Kathakali dancer wear a mask and heavy costume. Kathakali dance form is emotive and narrative.It combine dance with dialogue.The dancer create various moods and emotions .During a drama the dancer do not speak but hand movement called mudras and unique facial expressions all I sign language.It is not so easy for dancer spent a 3-4 hours for makeup and then 3-4 hours non stop

Per formance with heavily costume . Kathakali originate from Ramanattom and krishanattom.

Traditionally a kathakali performance is usually conducted at night and ends in early morning, but nowadays performance is only three hours. kathakali is usually performed in front of kalivelakku

Means kali –Dance , Vellakku – Lamp

Dance only perform on the stage in village festival . The orchestra of kathakali includes two drums known as the Chenda and the Maddalam along with Cymbals.Normally twp singer provide vocal accompaniment ,with style of singing is called as Sopaanam.

Makeup - Makeup is major part of kathakali , It takes app. Three hours. Paint use in kathakali is freshly prepared and locally available plants. But nowadays artificial color is used.

make-up which are of five types - Pacha, Kathi, Thadi, Kari and Minukku.

Pacha (Green)- portrays noble protagonists like King Nalan from Nalacharitham, Lord Rama, Arjuna etc.

Kathi (Knife)- portrays villainous characters like Duryodhanan in Mahabharata

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 like Bali in Balivadham, Rakshasas, Asuras etc

"Karutha Thadi" or Black beard for the hunter like the Kattalan in Nalacharitham and Kiratham Kathakali.

Kari (Black) - used for lady-demons (witches in Indian epic) like Poothana

Minukku (Prettying Up)- used for female characters and sages - Damayanthi, Bhanumathi.

There are 24 Basic Mudras (hand gestures

1. Pathaaka (Flag)

2. Mudraakhyam