BACKGROUND OF KATHAKALI

Kathakali is ancient and classical in nature and holds centuries of tradition and culture. It is not simply a dance-drama but an act of devotion featuring the universal struggle between good and evil.

Kathakali takes place in a variety of places from a beautifully constructed Kootambalam – story temple – or in a simple temporary canopy made from coconut leaves covering a platform made of earth in a village temple or a garden. The dressing room would be close to the stage and also made from coconut leaves.

The actual Kathakali performance starts between 9 and 10 pm with Arrangu Keli - a drumming piece played on the Madalam drum to ask the Gods for their blessings and to invite them to watch the performance. To perform Kathakali is a great honour and performed to the Gods as an act of devotion.

A large brass oil lamp called a Valaka, is placed at the front of the stage. Lighting the lamp is highly symbolic as when lit, it illustrates that there is divine prescence.

Thodayam– is a dance ritual that is performed behind a large brightly coloured satin curtain held up by two men at the front of the stage and called a Tereshiela. Two junior actors perform a composition of pure dance accompanied by theSUDDHA MADALAM drum- solo Madalam.

The Vandana slokam is a prayer and follows Thodayam to bless the stage and to receive the Gods. The first actors make their way to the stage but before leaving the dressing room they will go to all the senior artists, touch their feet and ask for their blessings, pray to the Valaka – lamp – situated in the green room and finally go onto the stage that is now a holy place. The actors make their journey from this world into the world of the Gods with dignity and humility.

Purappad - means starting point and represents the beginning of the Kathakali performance, traditionally performed by students to develop their skills. The actors represent the main characters of the story - Krishna or Balarama and perform a piece of pure dance, sometimes accompanied by the relevant female partners.

Melappadam- is a musical master piece where senior singers and drummers are given an opportunity to perform their outstanding skills.

The singers express dedication and appreciation to Jaya Deva who wrote the great poemsof the Geetha Govindam in the 11th century. Singing his poems creates a melody of exquisite beauty. People travel many miles to see the top artists perform Mela Padaam as a piece of vibrant music in its own right.

The Kathakali play- the actual Kathakali story starts when Melepadam finishes. The audience have been bathed in powerful drumming, superb singing,rituals and ceremonies. This is in preparation for the full impact of Kathakali to descends on to the stage and depict stories from the great Hindu epics.

Normally two or three plays are performed throughout the night starting with a love story or one featuring every day life, saving the last story for an almighty battle when good conquers evil, just before the sun rises in the cool early morning sky to celebrate a new beginningas light blesses the earth.

The temples hold annual festivals where the community is encouraged to evolve with more compassion and care for each other.Throughout the night the audience and artists have engaged in a universal journey where goodness prevails over evil to illustrate the path to a better life.

Danasi is a dance ritual performed by one of the good characters in the story, usually Lord Krishna or Lord Siva as the sun rises. He asks for blessings on the audience and gives appreciation to the Gods for the night that they came to earth.

For the artists it is a social time where everyone winds down, take a bath in the temple tank or river, eat breakfast and move onto the next temple performance. It is extremely hard work to perform throughout the night for all theartists involved and results in family atmosphere within the group.

Many years of quality training and experience is required to create a Kathakali artist. Each one is respected for the specialised skills that they bring to the stage to present one of the most moving and unforgettable experiences of all.

Download "A Background to Kathikali".

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KATHAKALI

1 Holland Road
Woolston
Southampton
Hampshire.
SO19 9FW
UK

Tel: 00 44 [0] 23 80 420114
Fax: 00 44 [0] 23 80 444468.