Kathakali

Kathakali evolved from many social and religious theatrical forms of Kerala.

This dance form is a blend of dance, music and acting and dramatizes stories, which are mostly adapted from the Indian epics. Poet Vallathol, composed the classical Kathakali dance form.

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.

Kathakali is considered to be a combination of five elements of fine art:

• Expressions (Natyam, the component with emphasis on facial expressions)
• Dance (Nritham, the component of dance with emphasis on rhythm and movement of hands, legs and body)
• Enactment (Nrithyam, the element of drama with emphasis on “mudras”, which are hand gestures)
• Song/vocal accompaniment (Geetha)
• Instrument accompaniment (Vadyam)
• Noted Kathakali exponents are: Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair, Kalamandalam Gopi, Madavoor Vasudevan Nair