Kathakali: Kerala's unique art

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The loud and enticing music around, the feeling of tender breeze on a summer night, Arjuna, Duryodhana, Krishna, Sita or Draupadi in bright attires, the occasional passing of the deity with the followers around the temple, the eager faces of my mother, grand mother and uncle, finally the drip into sleep during the early hours of dawn with the sweet smell of grass and prickling sand under me. My first and childhood memories of the great art of Kathakali include these.

Kathakali (Story play) of Kerala has a unique art tradition dated back to the 17th century. The name Kathakali originated from Malayalam words Katha (story) and Kali (Play). Kathakali as an art form has its origin from Ramanattom and Krishnattom, two other traditional art forms in Kerala. It is Kottayam Thampuran who included other art forms and composed the stories in Sanskrit music for Kathakali. During its evolution, Kathakali also imbibed elements from folk and martial arts which existed at that time in Kerala. This dance drama has the rare blend of all art forms such as dance, music, instruments, literature, painting and acting.

Traditionally there are 101 classical Kathakali stories. They are usually performed at temples for a whole night. The increasing popularity of Kathakali demands concise performance for half an hour at halls on theses days. The blend of "Lokadharmi" (the elaboration of folk elements) and "Natyadharmi" (Classical elements of dance) in Kathakali makes the performance enjoyable for both a simple man as well as a scholar. The most popular Kathakali stories are Nala Charitam, Duryodhana Vadham, Kalyanasowgandhikam, Keechaka Vadham , Kiratham and Karna Shapadham (stories from the Mahabharata). Quite recently the story of Mary magdalene from Bible and Shakespeare's King Lear have been adapted to Kathakali scripts. It is always better to have an understanding of the story to be enacted for a better enjoyment of the art form.

During the performance, the artists never speak. They convey the ideas through hand movements known as " Mudras" and unique facial expressions. There are 24 Mudras that can be classified into Samaana Mudras (One Mudra symbolizing two entities) and Misra Mudras (Mudras with both the hands). The Kathakali artist will have to undergo a strenuous training period and he/she will master the art of navarasams (Nine expressions) during this time. The nine expressions are Sringaaram (amour), Haasyam (ridicule, humour), Bhayam (fear), Karunam (pathos), Rowdram (anger, wrath), Veeram (valour), Beebhatsam (disgust), Adbhutham (wonder, amazement) and Saantham (tranquility, peace). The nature of the characters will be also distinguished by unique make-up also. The make-up for different characters vary as Pacha, Kathi, Thadi, Minukku etc.

There are many Kathakali artists who made their names synonymous with this unique art form. Some of them are Guru Kunchu Kurup, Vazhenkada Kunju Nair, Kizhpadam Kumaran Nair, Kottakkal Sivaraman, Champakkulam Pachu Pillai, Kalamandalam Gopi, Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair, Nelliyodu Vasudevan nambudiri etc. While we remember these great masters Vallathol Narayana menon who started Kerala Kalamandlam should not be forgotten. Kathakali has grown into its prime glory under the continuous support of this great poet.

Nowadays more and more aspirants are coming to learn this unique art form to Kerala. The renowned training centers in Kerala are Kerala Kalamandalam, Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur District, P.S.V. Natyasangham, Kottakkal, Calicut District, Gandhi Seva Sadanam, Pathirippala, Palakkad District, Unnayivarrier Smaraka Kalanilayam, Iringalakkuda, Thrissur District, Cochin Cultural Centre, Cochin, Ernakulam District, Art Kerala, Valanjambalam, Ernakulam District and R.L.V. Thripunithura, Ernakulam Dt.