World class KATHAKALI artists from Kerala, South India, to include the great
PADMASREEE KALAMANDALAM GOPI,
will be touring the UK during the autum of 2010.

To enahance the experience of KATHAKALI, an ancient dance ritual, will join the tour, at selected venues, accompanied by Indian drummers, to perform amongst
the audience. 

Kathakali is an unforgettable experience as the characters tell their ancient stories through the most vivid and colouful images in the world of theatre.

The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company artists have toured internationally for decades to include Britain, Ireland, Finland, Canada, Germany, Japan, USA, Italy
and Brazil.

In 2010 specially selected actors, musicians and make up specialists will provide performances in schools, colleges, village halls, theatres and art centres all over
the country. 

"The allure of a Kathakali performance is the ennchantment that the audience seek to experience, and in which lies the heart of live theatre.” Dr Debbie Middleton, Huddersfield University.

The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company was established in 1987 to increase awareness of Kathakali and Asian culture through performances and workshops led by Kathakali experts. 

 
WORKSHOPS are available for schools and colleges prior to the tour please click here..

Where possible we welcome the audience to see the elaboarte three dimensional make up process,view the costumes and meet the artists.

We aim to make Kathakali accessible to all members of the community. A memeber of the Company is trained in basic British Sign Language.

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THE ORIGIN

Kathakali originated in the beautiful state of Kerala South West India over 500 years ago, and is based on the great Indian tradition of storytelling.

There is nothing quite like Kathakali, characters communicate through a complex 4,000 year old sign language called Mudras with imaculate precission and depth of emotion.

Derived from earlier devotional art forms such as Koodiyattam and Krishnanattam, Kathakali has perfected the style of visual theatre where the Gods come to earth to battle with evil for supremacy through a stunning combination of drama, dance, music, costume
and make up.

The Company present classical plays, written hundreds of years ago, to explore human behavior, however, the symbolism used in the stories is as relevant today,
as the day they were written. 

The actor interprets the ancient Hindu epic story, being sung by two singers in poetry form, using a combination of Sanskrit and Malayalam [the local language of Kerala].

The actors, traditionally men, are totally transformed by superb costumes and a unique three dimensional make up called Chutti.

A specially trained CHUTTI [make up] artist transforms the actor beyond recognition, into a magnificent and visually unique character, representing a wide range of qualities, from the divine to the most evil.

For promoters:
There are a few dates avalaible on the 2010 UK tour. If you would like to book a Kathakali performance as part of the tour - please contact.