kathakali
What is kathakali?
What are the origins of kathakali?
What are the key components of a kathakali performance?
What are the makeup styles and costumes used in kathakali?
What instruments are used in kathakali music?
kathakali, one of the nine recognized classical dance forms of India, along with bharatanatyam, kathak, manipuri, kuchipudi, odissi, mohiniyattam, sattriya, and chhau. It is indigenous to southwestern India, particularly the state of Kerala, and is based on subject matter from the Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, and stories from Shaiva literature. Kathakali combines dance, drama, music, and acting. The name kathakali is derived from the Malayalam words katha (“story”) and kali (“play”), reflecting its origins as a form of dramatic storytelling. Traditionally, kathakali is performed exclusively by men and young boys who play the parts of both males and females. The dancers are dedicated to its practice throughout their lives.
Origin and evolution
Early influences
Kathakali emerged in the 17th century as a synthesis of earlier dance-drama traditions, including kutiyattam (Sanskrit theater form) and krishnanattam (dance centered on the Hindu god Krishna). Its most direct predecessor is believed to be ramanattam, a dance-drama form created by the ruler of Kottarakkara in southern Kerala to narrate episodes from the Ramayana. Over time, ramanattam evolved into kathakali, incorporating elements of both krishnanattam and regional storytelling traditions.
Royal patronage and growth
Kathakali developed under Kottayathu Thampuran (Malayalam: “King of Kottayam”), who composed plays based on the Mahabharata. These plays helped shape the choreography, textual structure, and performance techniques of the art form. In the 18th century artist Kaplingadu Narayanan Namboothiri refined the theater form by developing the kaplingadan style—a school of kathakali from southern Kerala known for its vivid facial expressions. In the early 20th century Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon (1880–1948), an educator, systematized the techniques of kathakali and introduced kalluvazhi chitta—a school of kathakali from northern Kerala known for its controlled footwork and distinct eye movements—which became a widely practiced tradition. Institutions such as Kerala Kalamandalam, founded in 1930 by poet Vallathol Narayana Menon (1878–1958), played a crucial role in reviving and standardizing kathakali.
Performance elements
The libretto used for a kathakali performance is called attakatha (attam meaning “dance” or “play” and katha meaning “story”). Students of kathakali undergo rigorous body conditioning and training, which include movements and techniques adapted from the ancient martial art kalaripayattu, to gain flexibility, control, and strength (the costume alone can weigh up to 26 pounds [12 kg]). Exercises for the eyes, lips, cheeks, mouth, and neck help the artists master the elaborate facial expressions unique to this art form.
- Kelikottu: A percussion announcement marks the beginning of the performance.
- Todayam: A devotional invocation for divine blessings is performed behind the thiraseela (“curtain”).
- Purappadu: A pure dance sequence marking the beginning of a performance introduces the lead characters.
- Melappadam: A musical section highlights the drummers and singers.
- Tiranokku: All characters except the protagonists make their first appearance.
- Kathabhinayam: The dramatic narration of the story incorporates abhinaya or ilakiattam (expressive enactment of emotions) and cholliattam (performance in step with the lyrics, driving the narrative forward).
Gestures and facial expressions
Kathakali incorporates 24 mudras (hand gestures) based on the ancient text Hastalakshana Deepika. It also relies on navarasam, the nine core emotions expressed in performance:
- shringaram (“love”)
- hasyam (“humor”)
- karunam (“compassion”)
- roudram (“anger”)
- veeram (“heroism”)
- bhayanakam (“fear”)
- bibhatsam (“disgust”)
- adbhutam (“wonder”)
- shantam (“peace”)
Costume and makeup
Kathakali’s striking features are its elaborate costumes and makeup, which signify the nature of each character. The process begins with theppu—the application of face paint using specific colors and patterns to reflect a character’s personality. This is followed by chutti, a white, raised structure made of rice paste applied around the jawline. The shape, size, and construction of the chutti vary according to character type, with heroic and villainous roles often requiring more elaborate designs. Traditionally, artists use natural dyes and herbal preparations for makeup. Kathakali has five primary vesham, or makeup that identifies different character types:
- Pacha (“green”) symbolizes noble and virtuous characters such as Krishna and Rama. These roles feature kirita (elaborate headgear).
- Kathi (“knife”) represents antiheroes with strong but flawed personalities. These roles have red-and-white facial patterns.
- Kari (“black”) represents forest dwellers and hunters. These characters wear dark makeup and minimal embellishments.
The costumes include uduthukettu (a voluminous skirt), heavy ornaments, and towering headdresses. Sthree vesham, or female characters, wear simpler attire with a veil and a side hair bun.
- Related Topics:
- katti
- tiranokku
- velupputadi
- pacca
- minnukku
Music
Kathakali music follows the traditional sopanam style, also known as abhinaya sangeetham (“music for acting”). The performance is accompanied by a number of instruments, including percussion such as chenda, maddalam, and idakka, along with chengila (Indian gong) and ilathalam (cymbals). The lead and supporting vocalists, called ponnani and shinkiti, respectively, provide a live musical narration that sets the emotional tone for each scene.