Kathakali Dance.

Kathakali Dance.

Kathakali dance is from Kerala, South India. Kathakali means the story and its drama.

This dance is about 200 years old. Ancient dances Chakiyar, Kuth, Kudiyattam, Shastrikali, Krishnattam, and Ramattam, Kathakali dance has emerged with all these elements.

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               Kathakali dance is based on the story of Ramayana and Mahabharata. After nine o'clock in the night, the dance begins in the village square or open ground. It lasts all night. The program often lasts from nine to ten days. The dance is performed in the light of a large oil lamp. In dance, female characters also have young boys.

Now actors like Mrinalini Sara Bhai play female characters.

Makeup is a major part of Kathakali. According to each character, the way to apply makeup, color, type of beard, etc. is decided.

There are two types of makeup.

Makeup for goddess characters is called  Pachcha.

Shringar is called Kaththi for the demonic character.

The makeup of the female character is called Meenakku.

It takes about four hours more than a character's makeup. And there are many such characters in the play. The make-up dancer falls asleep on the ground. And after four hours of doing makeup, she stands out with her personality as per her character.

Makeup tools use lime, rice flour, soot, copra, coconut peel, and various ornaments and use starch to stick the beard.

Shringar clearly identifies the Satvik and Vedik characters.

               In Kathakali dance, the costumes are very elaborate and flamboyant. Also, the crowns are studded with gold and gems. Kathakali dance is performed with a special type of drum. Hearing this, crowds of people from the surrounding area come to watch the dance. When each character enters the dance, a cloth is placed over it. Which is called Tiresheela which is considered to be the symbol of the sea. Characters often show off the edge of clothes. The characters make the story come true with intricate dance techniques, hand gestures, and facial expressions. Only demons are allowed to shout while dancing, while singers introduce the story through songs.

Kathakali dance is allowed to come on stage after 10 to 12 years of rigorous training. Oil massage is done daily to make the muscles of the trainee's body soft and flexible.

Sri Narayanamenan has done the revival of this dance.

He established an organization called "Kerala Kala Mandalam", where people from all over the country and abroad come to learn dance.

Shantarao in the promotion and dissemination of Kathakali,

Rukmani Devi,

Uday Shankar,

Ramgopal,

kunjakurup,

Gopinath and

Mrinalini Sarabhai's contribution is invaluable.

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