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ARUN A B. Ed. English KUCTE Nedumangadu
Kathakali is indigenous to southwestern India, particularly the state of Kerala, and is based on subject matter from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and stories from Shaiva literature. Enacted outdoors, the presentation is an allnight function. During the action, voices chant the story as mimed by dancers; incidental dances, accompanied by earsplitting drumbeats, enrich the performance. Traditionally, kathakali is performed exclusively by men and young boys who play the parts of both males and females.
A Kathakali performance has different components or steps. They are Keli, Arangu Keli, Thodayam, Vandana slokam, Purappadu, Melappadam, Kathabhinayam and Dhanaashi It needs 6 to 8 hours to present the complete version of a Kathakali play.
Stories for Kathakali are often taken from Hindu mythology and Indian epics. Kottayaththu Thampuraan, Unnayi Warrier, Irayimman Thampi, Vayaskara Moos etc. are some of the major contributors of Attakkatha or the text for Kathakali. The main Kathakali plays include Kalyana Sougandhikam, Nala Charitham, Uththara Swayam varam, Duryodhana Vadham, Bali Vadham , Santhana Gopalam etc.
Musical Instruments Used in Kathakali
Idaikka
Chengila
Chenda
Mridangam
Ilathalam
NAVARASA
Costumes and Make up Of all classical Indian dances, Kathakali has the most elaborate costuming consisting of head dresses, face masks and vividly painted faces. It typically takes several evening hours to prepare a Kathakali troupe to get ready for a play. Costumes have made Kathakali's popularity extend beyond adults, with children absorbed by the colors, makeup, light and sound of the performance. The makeup follows an accepted code, that helps the audience easily identify the archetypal characters such as gods, goddesses, demons, demonesses, saints, animals and characters of a story. Seven basic makeup types are used in Kathakali, namely Pachcha, Kathi, Kari, Thaadi, and Minukku.
PACHCHA Pachcha (green) with lips painted brilliant coral red portrays noble characters and sages such as Krishna, Vishnu, Rama, Yudh ishthira, Arjuna, Nala and philosopher-kings.
KATHI Kathi characters are arrogant and evil but have a streak of valour in them. Though their make-up is basically green, denoting that they are high born, a red mark like an upturned moustache or knife is painted on the cheek to show that they are evil. They also have white knobs on the tips of their noses and on their foreheads, which add to their evil nature. Ravana, the demon king is a typical kathi character in Kathakali.
KARI Kari (black) is the code for forest dwellers, hunters, and middle ground character. Demonesses and treacherous characters are also painted black but with streaks or patches of red.
THAADI There are three distinct types in the class of thadi vesham viz. chuvanna thadi (red beard as in the case of the character Bali - the king of monkeys) vella thadi (white beard) and karutha thadi (black beard). The red beards are vicious and excessively evil characters. Their faces are mainly painted black on the top half and red on the lower. The white beard represents a higher type of being and is seen mainly in the character of Hanuman, the monkey god. The black beards are the character types in which black predominates in make-up and costume. These are the primitive beings - the wild hunters and forest dwellers
MINUKKU Minukku (radiant, shining) with a warm yellow, orange or saffron typifies noble, virtuous feminine characters such as Sita, Panchali and Mohini. Men who act the roles of women also add a false top knot to their left and decorate it in a style common to the region.
Famous Kathakali Artists
Mathoor Govindan Kutty
Nelliyode Vasudevan Namboothiri
Vasu Pisharody
Madavoor Vasudevan Nair
Kalamandalam Ramachandran Unnithan
Kalamandalam Kesavan
Gallery
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