The Traditional Art Form of Kerala - Kathakali
Kathakali, a major classical dance from Kerala, is a harmonious combination of literature, Music, painting, Acting, Dance. The body painting, called Chutty is an art form in itself and is done using very crude items like raw amorphous sulphur, indigo, rice paste, lime, coconut oil etc.
It has its origins in the 2000-year-old classical dance form of kuttiyatam that used to be performed in the temples. A picture of the same has been provided below. Kathakali comes from southwestern India, around the state of Kerala. Like Bharatanatyam, Kathakali is a religious dance. It draws inspiration from the Ramayana and stories from Shaiva traditions. Kathakali is traditionally performed by boys and men, even for female roles. The costumes and makeup are especially elaborate, with face to made to look like painted masks and enormous headdresses.
Kathakali is a classical dance form of Kerala, demanding long years of training. Believed to have evolved from Ramanattam, another classical art form composed by kottarakkara Tampuram, Kathakali incorporates the techniques of some of the major ritual art forms of Kerala.
The characters of Kathakali do not speak and the story presented through songs from the background. This makes Kathakali songs is known as Attakatha, Chenda, Maddalam, Chengila, and Elaththalam are the instruments used with Kathakali music. The Kathakali dancers donning a paccha makeup are also painted with large black markings around their eyes and eyebrows, with the sacred mark of Vishnu on their foreheads, and Vermilion/kumkum colour around their mouths.
Kathakali has become a world-famous dance-drama within the least fifteen years. Nearly every foreigner who visits kerala wants to see a Kathakali performance. India is a vibrant and rich land of varied cultures, art forms and languages. Thus, a traveller is bound to experience a variety of changes that are both interesting and inquisitive in this country where the landscape changes every few kilometres, especially if it's God's Own country, Kerala.
Kathakali comes from southwestern India, around the state of Kerala. Like Bharatanatyam, Kathakali is a religious dance. It draws inspiration from the Ramayana and stories from Shaiva traditions. Kathakali is traditionally performed by boys and men, even for female roles. The costumes and makeup are especially elaborate, with face to made to look like painted masks and enormous headdresses.