Kathakali

Drama Kathakali Kathakali is the classical dance-drama of Kerala, South India, which dates from the 17th century and is rooted in Hindu mythology. The word Kathakali literally means "Story-Play". One of the major distinguishing features of Kathakali is the absence of oral communication. Considerable part of the script is in the form of lyrics, sung by vocalist. Only accompaniments are percussion instruments. Chenda(Drum played with sticks) Maddalam(Drum played with fingers), Chengila(Gong) and Ilathalam(Cymbals). The style of music traditionally accepted is Sopana, where the range is limited to one and half octaves. Dance is an important element in Kathakali, it is not the main feature. Female characters spontaneously breaking into "Sari" and "Kummi" dances can be seen in few dramas. The communication among the characters and to the audience is through an intricate language of hand gestures, used in combination with facial expression and body movements. Kathakali follows the language of Mudras, as described in "Hasthalakshana Deepika Popular belief is that Kathakali is emerged from "Krishananattam", the dance drama on the life and activities of Lord Krishna created by the Zamorin of Calicut. Once Kottarakkara Thampuran, the Raja of Kottarakkara who was attracted by Krishnanaattam requested the Zamorin for the loan of a troupe of performers. Due to the political rivalry between the two, Zamorin did not allow this. So Kottarakkara Thampuran created another art form called Ramanattam, which was later transformed into Aattakatha. It is a combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance. There is about 101 Kathakali stories. But due to the increasing demand for the concised versions, now the plays are composed for 2-4 hours instead of the whole night. They play is mostly based on the two epics 'Ramayana' and 'Mahabharata'. When they act they would put make up on their face. Kathakali veshams are of five types **:**** Pacha (Green), Kathi (Knife), Thadi (Beard), "Vella Thadi", "Chuvanna Thadi", "Karutha Thadi", Kari (Black) ****,** ** Minukku (Prettying Up). **Pacha portrays noble protagonists like King Nalan from Nalacharitham, Lord Rama, Arjuna etc.Kathi portrays villainous characters like Duryodhanan in Mahabharata.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 used for lady-demons (witches in Indian epic) like Poothana. Minukku used for female characters and sages, Damayanthi, Bhanumathi. The basic materials used for the make up are very crude items like raw amorphous Sulphur, Indigo, Rice paste, Lime, Coconut oil etc. The headgear worn by the various characters in Kathakali are excellent specimen of intricate wood carving, an ancient speciality of the region. Even the shiny finishing with trinkets take hours of painstaking labour by expert craftsmen. Most of the ornaments donning each character are made in this fashion too.  [] [] [] 
 * Ahmad Mostafa