PERFORMING ARTS OF KERALA

KATHAKALI :

Kathakali, the renowned stage drama of Kerala, possibly had its beginnings in ancient drama methods of the 2nd century AD. However, the contemporary form dates from the 17th century.

Kathakali literally means, story play and the kathakali performances is the dramatized presentation of a play. It is like the pantomime of ancient of Rome. Originally there were 100 plays, but now only about 30 are performed, based on the Indian epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha as well as Puranas. And with each great story, there are complex characters. Kathakali performers, through their skillful movement, gesture and expressions, dramatize the traits of the various characters of the play, while singers and musicians narrate the story. Traditional performances take many hours, but there are shortened versions.

One of the most interesting aspects of Kathakali is its elaborate make-up code. Characters are categorized according to their nature. This determines the colours used in their make-up. The faces of noble male characters are predominantly green. Characters of hight birth who have an evil streak, are alloted a similar green make-up, slashed with red marks on the cheeks. Extremely angry or excessively evil characters wear predominantly red make-up and a flowing red beard. Forest dwellers such as hunters are represented with a predominantly black make-up base. Women and ascetics have lustrous, yellowish faces.

The technique of Kathakali includes a highly developed language of gesture, through which the artist can convey whole sentences and stories. The body movements and foot works are very rigorous. To attain the high degree of flexibility and muscle control required for this art, a Kathakali dancer undergoes a strenuous course of training and special periods of body massage.

MOHINIYATTAM :

Mohiniyattam literally means, dance of the celestial enchantress. This sensual dance form of Kerala, is usually performed as a solo dance.

Slow, graceful, swaying movements of the body and limbs and highly emotive eye and hand gestures are unique to this art form. The simple, elegant gold-filigreed dress, in pure white or ivory, is akin to the traditional attire of the women of Kerala.

The theme of Mohiniyattam is love and devotion to God. The Hindu Gods, Vishnu or Krishna, is more often the hero. The spectators could feel his invisible presence when the heroine or her maid details dreams and ambitions through the circular movements, delicate foot steps and subtle expressions. The dancer in the slow and medium tempo is abel to find adequate space for improvisations and suggestive expressions. The movements are graceful and the costumes sober and attractive. It is essentially a solo dance but in present times it is performed in groups also.

THULLAL :

Thullal is a classical solo dance form of Kerela, which comes closer to contemporary life, and is marked for its simplicity, wit and humour.

Staged during temple festivals, the performer explicates the verses through expressive gestures. The themes are based on mythology. This satiric art form was introduced in the18th century by the renowned poet of Kerala, Kunchan Nambiar.

Thullal is performed by a single artist who wears coloruful costumes. In this art form the symbols and gestures are the same as those of Kathakali. The artist plays many parts and the performance is accompanied by his own singing. The popularity of Thullal as a dance form has continued undiminished to this day.

THIRUVATHIRAKALI :

Thiruvathirakali is a dance performed by a group of women, in order to attain everlasting marital bliss, on Thiruvathira day in the Malayalam month of Dhanu (December- January). The sinuous movements executed by the dancers during Thiruvathirakali around aNilavilakku ( the traditional oil-lit wick lamp made of brass), embody 'lasya' or the amorous charm and grace of the feminine.

The dance follows a circular, pirouetting pattern accompanied by singing and clapping. Today Thiruvathirakali has become a popular dance form for all seasons and the rituals linked with it are hardly observed. It is an important entertainment folk art of Keralite women during festive season of Onam.

KALARIPAYATTU :

Kalaripayattu is considered as one of the oldest martial art forms in the world. The art is practiced in a small enclosure called the kalari, which is 21 feet by 42 feet. Practice within the kalari is taken as an almost religious exercise. In this martial art form, mind and body need to work in harmony.

This art reached its zenith in the 16th century, in the days of Thacholi Othenan, a celebrated chieftain of north Malabar. A Kalaripayattu demonstration includes physical exercises and mock duels, armed and unarmed combat. Today Kalaripayattu is a method of physical fitness, and an empty-handed means of self- defense. Yet, it is tied to traditional ceremonies and rituals.