Introduction
Kathakali, is an efflorescent art form of Kerala. It has been described as a true representation of the artistic traditions of India and one of the most magnificent theatres of the imagination.
Kathakali dancers are the talented artists who have made Kathakali, a popular art form all across the globe. Kathakali is probably the oldest theatre forms in the world. It originated in the state of Kerala and the Kathakali dancers perform a group presentation, in which they act upon various roles which are traditionally based on themes from sacred Hindu mythology, especially the two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The actor in kathakali never speaks expect with his hands. The text of the drama is sung for him and is the baseline for his interpretation. It is in histrionics or interpretive dancing that the Kathakali artist excels, the spectator's experience enhanced by the thrilling drum beats.
Basic features
The minute movements of the face, eyebrows and eyeballs, cheeks, the nose and the chin are minutely worked out and various emotions are registered in a flash by each individual actor-dancer. The roles of women are generally played by men, though of late, women are entering the arena.
The pure dance element in Kathakali is limited to kalasams, decorative dance movements alternating with an expressional passage where the actor impersonates a character, in tune with the libretto (The text of a dramatic musical work, such as an opera) sung by the musician. A cylindrical drum called chenda, another horizontally held drum (maddalam), cymbals and a gong form the musical accompaniment, with two vocalists rendering the songs.
The dance is rugged and expansive, the music shrill and piercing, the emotional representation rambling and exaggerated. The costumes, head dresses and ornaments combine with the make-up to impart Kathakali a rather weird and fantastic aspect.
The most outstanding feature of Kathakali is its dramatic quality, even though the characters never speak. It is accompanied by musical compositions, involving dialogues, narration and continuity. It employs the lexicon of a highly developed hand-gesture language which enhances the facial expressions and unfolds the text of the drama.
Music
The language of the songs used for Kathakali is Manipravalam. Though most of the songs are set in ragas based on the microtone-heavy Carnatic music, there is a distinct style of plain-note rendition, which is known as the Sopanam style. This typically Kerala style of rendition takes its roots from the temple songs which used to be sung (continues even now at several temples) at the time when Kathakali was born.
Costume
He costume is the most distinctive characteristic of Kathakali. The makeup is very elaborate and the costumes are very large and heavy.
There are several kinds of costume. There are: Sathwika (the hero), Kathi (the villain), Minukku (females), and Thatti. These basic divisions are further subdivided in a way which is very well known to Malayali (Keralite) audiences. Each character is instantly recognisable by their characteristic makeup and costume.
The makeup is very elaborate. It is so elaborate that it is more like a mask than makeup in the usual sense. The materials that comprise the makeup is all locally available. The white is made from rice flour, the red is made from Vermilion (a red earth such as cinnabar). The black is made from soot. The colours are not merely decoration, but are also a means of portraying characters. For instance, red on the feet is used to symbolise evil character and evil inten
Kathakali, is an efflorescent art form of Kerala. It has been described as a true representation of the artistic traditions of India and one of the most magnificent theatres of the imagination.
Source: www.nriol.com
Kathakali dancers are the talented artists who have made Kathakali, a popular art form all across the globe. Kathakali is probably the oldest theatre forms in the world. It originated in the state of Kerala and the Kathakali dancers perform a group presentation, in which they act upon various roles which are traditionally based on themes from sacred Hindu mythology, especially the two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The actor in Kathakali never speaks expect with his hands. The text of the drama is sung for him and is the baseline for his interpretation. It is in histrionics or interpretive dancing that the Kathakali artist excels, the spectator's experience enhanced by the thrilling drum beats.
Why is the Golconda Fort special?
Basic features
The movements of the face, eyebrows and eyeballs, cheeks, the nose and the chin are minutely worked out and various emotions are registered in a flash by each individual actor-dancer. The roles of women are generally played by men, though of late, women are entering the arena.
Source: www.dances.iloveindia.com
The pure dance element in Kathakali is limited to kalasams, decorative dance movements alternating with an expressional passage where the actor impersonates a character, in tune with the libretto (The text of a dramatic musical work, such as an opera) sung by the musician. A cylindrical drum called chenda, another horizontally held drum (maddalam), cymbals and a gong form the musical accompaniment, with two vocalists rendering the songs.
The dance is rugged and expansive, the music shrill and piercing, the emotional representation rambling and exaggerated. The costumes, head dresses and ornaments combine with the make-up to impart Kathakali a rather weird and fantastic aspect.
The most outstanding feature of Kathakali is its dramatic quality, even though the characters never speak. It is accompanied by musical compositions, involving dialogues, narration and continuity. It employs the lexicon of a highly developed hand-gesture language which enhances the facial expressions and unfolds the text of the drama.
Reason behind using word ‘wood’ in Cinema
Music
Source: www. image.slidesharecdn.com
The language of the songs used for Kathakali is Manipravalam. Though most of the songs are set in ragas based on the microtone-heavy Carnatic music, there is a distinct style of plain-note rendition, which is known as the Sopanam style. This typically Kerala style of rendition takes its roots from the temple songs which used to be sung (continues even now at several temples) at the time when Kathakali was born.
Costume
The costume is the most distinctive characteristic of Kathakali. The makeup is very elaborate and the costumes are very large and heavy.
Source: www.1.bp.blogspot.com
There are several kinds of costume. There are: Sathwika (the hero), Kathi (the villain), Minukku (females), and Thatti. These basic divisions are further subdivided in a way which is very well known to Malayali (Keralite) audiences. Each character is instantly recognisable by their characteristic makeup and costume.
The makeup is very elaborate. It is so elaborate that it is more like a mask than makeup in the usual sense. The materials that comprise the makeup is all locally available. The white is made from rice flour, the red is made from Vermilion (a red earth such as cinnabar). The black is made from soot. The colours are not merely decoration, but are also a means of portraying characters. For instance, red on the feet is used to symbolise evil character and evil intent.
Top 10 most famous Martial Arts in India
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation