|
Uttar Pradesh Tamil Nadu Andhra Pradesh Kerala
Districts Arts and Culture
Bharatha Natyam Chakyar Koothu
|
| |
|
KATHAKALI
The
essence
of Kerala
It is Kerala's very
own and much
celebrated dance drama. Kathakali was evolved in the 8th century from 'Ramanattam', a
dance drama created by Kottarakkara Thampuran, a great admirer and promoter of
traditional
art forms. Kathakali draws its theme from the wealth of Indian mythology and folklore.
Kathakali strictly addresses the fundamentals and axioms laid down by Bharata Muni, the
legendary figure, believed to be the father of Indian Classical Dances. The
performance calls for a high degree of command over body, muscle movements and facial
expressions. The performer, assisted by vocal and percussion, exposes
the theme through 'hasta mudras' or hand gestures. The 'mudras' are
25 in number, while the 'upa mudras' are 700 in
number. |
 |
| Expressions of face and eyes hold the key to perfection. The best way to
appreciate a Kathakali performance is to have that particular dance-drama explained to you
in advance. Kathakali, the
complete art, constitutes of three fine arts - Abhinayam (acting), Nrityam (dancing) and
Geetham (singing). This classical dance requires lengthy and rigorous training to attain
complete control of the body and a sensitivity to emotion, so as to be able to render all
its nuances through facial expressions and hand gestures. The themes of Kathakali are
drawn from the rich pool of Indian myth and its characters from all the three worlds - the
world of Gods, the world of humans and the world of demons. Kathakali is said to be the
only classical style in India that has preserved the thandava (masculine) element in its
primal vigour. Today,
Kathakali is a highly stylised, but extraordinarily evocative art, which combines chant,
drama, dance, make-up, dress and gesture into a package that spins a compelling spell. |
|
|
