Kathakali Dance Kerala

A ritualistic theatrical experience of Kathakali in an opulent auditorium can really hold your breath. The art form has the distinction of being one of the most ancient classical dance forms in the world. Having its genesis in southern India, Kathakali has its avid followers all across the globe. Performances in a Kathakali presentation are inspired from various Hindu mythological themes. During a Kathakali performance, elaborately made up and traditionally attired artists enact different stories from two major Hindu epics including the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

The Performance and Artists

Executed with extreme care, elaborated make up is a unique feature of Kathakali. Colours of the make up used vary from character to character. Those actors who play virtuous roles (like Rama) have their faces done in green colour while evil characters (like Ravana, the demon king) have green coloured faces with red marks on cheeks. Characters that enact aggressive roles have a predominant red makeup along with a flowing beard. For hunters, the base makeup colour remains black.

Expression is the most significant part of a Kathakali performance. The colour and extent of make up is done not only for a spectacular appearance but they also represent the nature, mood and the personality of the character.

Besides detailed makeup, Kathakali also features rich and extraordinary costumes. Large head dresses make performers look spectacular. The actual purpose behind all this elaborate makeup and costumes is help the performer move beyond the level of mere mortals. As the artists realize themselves above the world, they attain the capacity of taking the audience to an amazing world beyond their own.

Kathakali Techniques

After the artist has all been made up and attired, it is now up to the language of gestures that has the entire power of expression. Through these specific movements, the performer has to depict sentences and stories, whose themes are taken from Hindu epics. After months of rigorous training, the Kathakali performer attains the flexibility and muscle control required for the dance form. Not only this, special body massage also forms a part of the routine. Whether it is body movements of the footwork, the performer needs to express each and every point of the story with much detail.

Gestures or movements used in the Kathakali dance performance are twenty four in number. Referred to as ‘mudras’, these movements are meant to depict nine emotional states - serenity, wonder, kindness, love, valour, fear, contempt, loathing and anger.

Span of a Traditional Kathakali Performance

The most auspicious time for a dance performance of Kathakali is the evening time. The exuberant dance drama begins in the evening spans through the length of the whole night. The performance only comes to an end at the crack of dawn. The time of dawn signifies the triumph of good over evil. However, to cater to the requirement of tourists and travelers from all over the world, Kathakali performances are organized in luxurious auditorium. Even if you have a couple of hours in hand, you can enjoy these performances with all the exuberance.