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About Kerala
Kathakali (literally, story play): This spectacular classical
dance drama of Kerala based on the guidelines laid by sage Bharatha's Natya
Sastra, the ancient treatise on dance and drama, is over 1500 years old.
This elaborate art form is usually performed in the evening and continues up
to dawn, and is an integral part of all temple and cultural festivals in
Kerala.
The costumes and makeup are ornamental, elaborate and
design to give a superhuman effect. The actors do not speak or sing but
enact the story through mudras (hand gestures) graceful movements and facial
expressions. The themes of this awe inspiring art are taken from India's
rich and colourful mythology.
Music is an essential feature of
Kathakali with two vocalists who sing to the accompaniment of a chengila
(gong), elathalam (small cymbals), chenda and maddalam.
Chakyarkoothu:
Also called Koothu, is one of the oldest classical theatre arts of
Kerala. The solo dance is usually presented in the Koothambalam of temples
to the accompaniment of the mizhavu and elathalam. The performance begins
with an invocation to the presiding deity of the temple. The narration is
enlivened with the thandava dance movements, gestures and facial expressions
according to the guidelines in Natya Sastra. Koothu is distinct for its
comic element which adds to its dramatic character. Themes are usually from
the epics. The costume is colourful and bizarre with a strange headgear.
Koodiyattam (literally, dancing together) It is perhaps the
oldest dance drama still in existence in India. Based on the Sanskrit text,
a performance of this art form may last from a few days to a few weeks. The
Koothambalam is elaborately decorated with plantain trees, bunches of tender
coconut and fronds of coconut leaves; the stage, however, is simple.
Koodiyattam is performed in different stages-the opening beat of a drum, the
invocation (vandana slokam), the purificatory ceremony, an interlude of
orchestra and then the actual recital. Makeup patterns and costumes of
Koodiyattam are believed to be the forerunners of the Kathkali costume.
Krishnanattamas: The name suggests, originated as
a votive offering to sree Krishna. This group performance, based on the
Sanskrit text Krishna Geetha, is presented across eight nights. The charm of
this classical art form is in the synchronised graceful movements of the
entire group. The costume and makeup of Krishnanattam bear traces of
resemblances to Kathkali and folk arts likeThiyattam, Mudiyettu and Theyyam.
Musical instruments used are maddalam, elathalam and chengila. Krishnanattam
is most commonly performed in the Guruvayoor temple.
Mohiniyattam (the dance of the enchantress): This classical
solo dance form combines the graceful elegance of Bharatanatyam with the
vigour and dynamism of Kathakli, to create a mood that is predominantly
sringara(erotic).
Thullal The dance is usually performed on
specially put up stages in connection with temple festivals. The costume is
the traditional white mundu and melmundu of Kerala. The hair is gathered and
put up at the side of the head and adorned with jasmine, in the traditional
style.
Patakam (literally, dissertation): It is
similar to Koothu in technical content, gestures and movements. However, the
narration is through prose and song sequences. The costume is predominated
by the red colour-the red head dress and a red silk wrist band. The
performer also wears heavy garlands around the neck and thick lines of
sandal paste across the forehead. Patakam is also performed outside the
temples.
Thullal: It is a modification of the
koothu and is characterised by simplicity of presentation, wit and humour.
This dance form was originated by Kunjan Nambiar, one of the leading poets
of Malayalam. The solo performance is marked by fast and rhythmic movements.
The
dancer himself sings the lead to accompaniment of the maddalam and
elathalam. Thullal is classified into three - Ottanthullal, Seethankam
thullal and Parayanthullal-based on the metre and rhythm of the songs and
distinction in costume and dance.
As most other art forms of
Kerala, Thullal also has colourful costumes, with elaborate headgears and
painting of the face. And is usually presented during temple festivals.
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