The convergence of Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Art

HISTORY

Kathakali (Malayalam: കഥകളി�, kathakaḷi; Sanskrit: कथा�क� ळिः��, kathākaḷiḥ) is a stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion. It originated in the country's present day state of Kerala during the 17th century and has developed over the years with improved looks, refined gestures and added themes besides more ornate singing and precise drumming.

Kathakali Dance Kerala Historically, as far back as the 3rd century BC,

Egyptians, Phoenicians, Chinese and Babylonians had trade relation with

Kerala.

Mural painted kathakali on Kerala saree

A close-up of Kathakali artist

Kathakali stage

PERFORMANCE

Traditionally, a Kathakali performance is usually conducted during the night and ends in early morning. Currently, it isn't difficult to see performances as short as three hours or fewer. Kathakali is usually performed in front of the huge Kalivilakku (kali meaning dance; vilakku meaning lamp) with its thick wick sunk till the neck in coconut oil. Traditionally, this lamp used to provide sole light when the plays used to be performed inside temples, palaces or abodes houses of nobles and aristocrats. Enactment of a play by actors is accompanied by music (geetha) and instruments (vadya). The percussion instruments used are chenda maddalam (both of which underwent revolutionary changes in their aesthetics with the contributions of Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval and Kalamandalam Appukutty Poduval and, at times, edakka.In addition, the singers (the lead singer is called "ponnani" and his follower is called "singidi") use chengila (gong made of bell metal, which can be struck with a wooden stick) and ilathalam (a pair of cymbals). The lead singer in some sense uses the Chengala to conduct the Vadyam and Geetha components, just as a conductor uses his wand in western classical music. A distinguishing characteristic of this art form is that the actors never speak but use hand gestures, expressions and rhythmic dancing instead of dialogue except in case of a couple of rare characters.

AS A STAGE PERFORMANCE IN THE MODERN DAY

Kathakali, as it is performed today, is just more than four centuries old. In the modern times, it is no longer restricted to temples, palaces and religious festivals, but is often presented in theaters and at special events as entertainment, and is performed far more frequently than the older forms of dance drama to which it is related.

KALARIPAYATTU

It is a martial art originated in 13th Century in Kerala. It is considered to be one of the oldest fighting form in existence. Kalaripayattu includes strikes, kicks, grappling, preset forms, weaponry and healing methods.

ELABORATE MAKE-UPOne of the most interesting aspects of Kathakali is its elaborate make-up code. Most often, the make-up can be classified into five basic sets namely Pachcha,Kathi, Kari, Thaadi, and Minukku. The differences between these sets lie in the predominant colours that are applied on the face. Pachcha (meaning green) has green as the dominant colour and is used to portray noble male characters who are said to have a mixture of "Satvik" (pious) and "Rajasik" (dark; Rajas = darkness) nature. Rakshas characters having an evil streak ("tamasic"= evil) -- all the same they are anti-heroes in the play (such as the demon king Ravana) -- and portrayed with streaks of red in a green-painted face.

Excessively evil characters such as demons (totally tamasic) require to have a predominantly red make-up and a red beard. They are called Red Beard (Red Beard).Tamasic characters such as uncivilized hunters and woodsmen are represented with a predominantly black make-up base and a black beard and are called black beard (meaning black beard). Women and ascetics have lustrous, yellowish faces and this semi-realistic category forms the fifth class. In addition, there are modifications of the five basic sets described above such as Vella Thadi (white beard) used to depict Hanuman and Pazhuppu, which is majorly used for Lord Shiva and Balabhadra.

Kathakali performer applying make-up

Kathakali Female Character from Keechaka Vadham

Keechakavadam performed by the artists

A drummer playing for the Kathakali performance

Drummer plying Madhalam for the Kathakali performance

MUSIC

The language of the songs used for Kathakali is Manipravalam. Though most of the songs are set in ragas based on the microtone-heavy Carnatic music, yet there is a distinct style of plain-note rendition, which is called as the Sopanam style. This typically Kerala style of rendition takes its roots from the temple songs which used to be sung (continues even now at several temples) at the time when Kathakali was born.

ACTINGA Kathakali actor uses immense concentration, skill and physical stamina, gained from regimented training based on Kalaripayattu , the ancient martial art of Kerala, to prepare for his demanding role. The training can often last for 8–10 years, and is intensive. In Kathakali, the story is enacted purely by the movements of the hands (called mudras or hand gestures) and by facial expressions (rasas) and bodily movements. The expressions are derived from Natyashastra (the book that deals with the science of expressions) and are classified into nine as in most Indian classical art forms. In order learn control of their eye movements, dancers also undergo special practice sessions.

The main facial expressions of a Kathakali artist are the 'navarasams' (Navarasas in anglicised form) (literal translation: The nine Tastes, stand for nine feelings or expressions) which are termed as:•Sringaram (amour)• Hasyam(ridicule, humour)• Bhayanakam (fear)• Karunam(pathos)• Roudram (anger, wrath)• Veeram (valour)• Beebhatsam (disgust)•Adbhutam (wonder, amazement)• Shantam (tranquility, peace).

A Kathakali performer

AATTAKATHA

Aattakatha is a literary genre in Malayalam language comprising of the text used for the Indian classical dance drama kathakali. The word aatta-katha literally means "story for dancing and acting"(atu "to dance" + kathā "story"). The narrative framework of aattakatha consists quatrains in Sanskrit metres dialogue part, however, is made up of where the diction also is heavily Sanskritised; the padas, which can be set to raga (tune) and tala (rhythm) and have to be rendered by means of gestures and body movements by the actors while being sung by musicians from behind. The origins of aattakatha literature dates back to the 12th century and it emerged as a literary genre in the 17th century.

The earliest of the aattakathas is believed to be a cycle of eight Ramayanastories (collectively known as Ramanattam), composed by Kottarakkara Tampuran and about whose date there is an ongoing controversy. Next in importance are the works of Kottayathu Tampuran belonging to the middle of the seventeenth century. Since the four aattakathas he wrote Bakavadham, Kalyanasaugandhikam, Kirmeeravadham and Kalakeyavadham meticulously conform to the strict rules of kathakali, they are particularly favoured by orthodox artistes and their patrons. Another poet of this category is Irayimman Thampi (1783-1863).Unnayi Variyar’s Nalacharitham Aattakatha is one of the most famous works in this genre.

RAVANA KATHAKALI

KATHAKALI POTRAYAL IN FILMS

Kathakali also finds portrayal in Malayalam feature films likeVanaprastham, Parinayam, Marattam, and Rangam, Besides documentary films have also been shot on Kathakali artistes like Chenganoor Raman Pillai, Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair, Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair, Kalamandalam Gopi and Kottakkal Sivaraman.

Ms. Dayamani Surya holds Master’s Degree in the English Literature from Osmania University, Hyderabad, Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching of English from CIEFL, Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching of English from CIEFL, Bachelor’s degree in Science and Bachelor’s degree in Education.

She holds online professional certifications:•Project Management•Human Resource Management•Financial Accounting• Management and Accounting• Business Process Outsourcing•Advance Learning Certificate in English Literature Analysis from Ireland.

As a Research Associate in the District Centre for English Scheme, Department of Training and Development, The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad since 1 May 2007, her work focuses on administration, curriculum development and teaching in the International Training Programme for Foreign Students at the University.

At the personal level, she works online as a mentor, helps the scholars in their project work, compilation of articles and papers, contributes to the publication of articles and journals. She is interested in writing diaries, blogs , biographies and short stories. Her areas of interest are Humanities, Art and photos, Indian Heritage and Culture, World History, Fashion designing, Multimedia and Journalism.

REFERENCES

1. Wikipedia2. “Aattakatha “ Public Relations Department Kerala, Govt. of Kerala Retrieved May 24, 20133. The confluence of dance, music, art and

visual theatre by Saveen Varma www.slideshare.net