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Jan 28, 2023 · Meet the first all-women Kathakali troupe and explore the ancient art form. Originating from Kerala, learn about this culturally significant dance form.
- 3 min
- 481.8K
- National Geographic India
Also Watch :-Bharatanatyam : https://youtu.be/x60Sd1aNcHoMayaliattam : https://youtu.be/IckmysD2UQAMohiniattam : https://youtu.be/0yp7mAYAi3gKathakali is a m...
- 4 min
- 1.5M
- Utopia Artworks
- Overview
- The performance
- Makeup and masks
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By The MAP Academy
Consisting of makeup, face painting, and stylized masks, kathakali masks are used in the kathakali dance drama that use masks, colorful makeup, and costumes worn by performers. The word “kathakali” is derived from the Sanskrit words katha (story) and kali (to play or perform). The subject matter of kathakali originally included stories from the
,
and the
. The central theme of kathakali performances is the triumph of good over evil, expressed with martial dances or action-heavy climactic sequences.
The form is thought to have originated in Kerala around the seventeenth century, evolving from existing forms of devotional dance drama such as
Early Kathakali performances were held in the compounds of family homes or outside temple walls, on a rectangular ground cordoned off with poles and cloth. The stage was generally bare, with the exception of a handheld curtain. More recently, performances are held in stage performance venues. The performers undergo a rigorous makeup and costuming process before the performance, taking up to three hours. Props such as weapons, generally made from lightweight wood, are often used. Other objects, such as chariots, are represented through mimetic actions. Performances originally lasted all night, beginning at dusk and ending at dawn. Contemporary kathakali performances reduce or remove the introductory segments entirely, making them two to three hours long.
The performance begins with the lighting of an oil lamp, accompanied by the singing of ceremonial verses. The performance then starts with introductory dances. As the story is enacted, four kinds of dances may be performed. The basic stance of a kathakali performer consists of feet placed parallel to each other at shoulder width, with the knees bent outward. The lower back of the performer is curved inwards towards the belly, allowing the arms to stretch wide. This accounts for the heavy mask and costume worn by the performers, keeping their centre of gravity low. Their footwork follows rectangular, straight, diagonal or circular patterns. Eye movements, along with facial and hand gestures, are employed to express the bhava, or inner state of the character. The performers are primarily men, though women began to join kathakali performances from the mid- to late twentieth century. Kathakali performers were traditionally from and patronized by the upper castes; its popularity today has prompted the participation of performers from more diverse social backgrounds.
It originally used simple makeup for characters being represented:
and Lakshmana (Rama's brother) had faces painted blue, while demons and monkeys wore face masks. The headgear was made of palm sheath painted with designs, and the torso was left bare. The influence of patrons like the feudal chiefs of the
led to changes in makeup and masking traditions. The blue makeup of divine characters was changed to the emerald green that is today one of the most recognizable aspects of the form. Masks for demons and monkeys were replaced with facial paint and gilded crowns began to be used as headgear.
Kathakali today uses a number of makeup types. The first, called paccu, uses green facial paint and is most frequently used for divine or noble characters. The green coloration is circumscribed by a white painted border, the cutti. The mark of Vishnu is often applied on the forehead with red and black marks upon a yellow base composed of rice paste. The eyes are framed by underlining the eyebrows and lower eyelids with a soft black pigment, extending to the sides of the face.
The “ripe” (payuppu) makeup type uses a similar design but replaces the green with a strong orange-red. It is used for characters such as Balarama (
brother),
Learn about the history, performance, and makeup of kathakali, a classical dance drama from Kerala, India. See photos of kathakali performers and their colorful costumes and masks.
Kathakali is a dance-drama art form that combines dance, music and acting to narrate stories from Hindu epics. Learn about its history, features, characters, costumes, songs and musical instruments, and major exponents.
Jul 22, 2023 · Kathakali is a traditional Indian art form that combines dance, drama, music, and elaborate makeup and costumes. Learn about its history, origins, symbolism, and cultural significance in this article.
May 7, 2020 · Kathakali is the classical dance drama was originated from Kerala’s shores over 300 years ago. It combines drama, dance, music, costumes . Every single quiver of the lips, flicker of the eyes or...
- 7 min
- 17.9K
- Michael Grobman
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Kathakali is the classical dance-drama of Kerala, South India, which dates from the 17th century and is rooted in Hindu mythology. Kathakali has a unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance.
