KATHAKALI
Kerala known for various arts and culture has its own unique form of arts, which are worldly known. Most significant of it is the Kathakali, its own performing art form. In the word Kathakali, "Katha" means story and "Kali" stands for dance. Experts say that this art form resembles Ramanattam, which existed in Kerala in the early centuries. It is a beautiful mix of dance, drama and music that it has been judged as 'a total art form of immense sophistication and power'. K athakali is a mime show dancing with mudras (hand gestures conveying the meaning of lyrics) and dancing steps according to the song of a singer in the background. The song is synchronized by Chenda, Maddalam (country drums), Chenkila and Elathalam (Cymbals). It is a dance form confined to the festival stages in temples.
The men and women dancers wear separate type of costumes, which are colorful and elegant. Their faces are painted Pachcha (green) made up of sulphate of mercury, vermillion, bio-sulphate of arsenic mixed in coconut oil. A spot of sandal paste is used on the brow, eye-lined with mascara, lips coated by cherry and white chin mask made of thick rice paste and a rich crown regarded as the landmark of Kerala include its amazing make –up. The beautiful attires adorned with jewellery denote the godly characters.
Thadi (beard) divided into Chuvanna Thadi (red beard) that represents aggressive and demoniac characters, Karutha Thadi (black beard) that depicts the cavemen and foresters, Vella Thadi (white beard) that represents Rishis, Saints and Preceptors and Kari (carbon black) that shows mean characters and Minukku (refined) presenting women and Brahmins are the meaning of make-up that are executed with the effort of many people.
The dance is performed after placing lighted traditional Nilavilakku (oil lamp) with sixty wicks on both sides of the stage. This lights the dancing floor.
Poet laureates Kottayath thampuran, Unnayi Warrier, Koyithampuran, Vayaskara Mooss are to be remembered for their outstanding contributions for making this art form unique.
A video display of Kerala's Performing art : Kathakali
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