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AN INDIAN EXPERIENCE
Through the ancient art of KATHAKALI - the classical dance drama of Kerala South West India.
KATHAKALI
IN EDUCATION
KATHAKALI
has mastered the art of visual storytelling for over 600 years and provides an extraordinary opportunity to experience non-western theatre & culture.
Kathakali specialists, Kalamandalam Vijayakumar - Kathakali actor and Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar - Kathakali make up specialist have brought Kathakali into the heart of education since 1987.
WORKSHOP LEADERS
KALAMANDALAM VIJAYAKUMAR
Was born in Kerala, South India and trained at the world famous institution for Kathakali, The Kerala Kalamandalam. He has performed extensively all over the world, to include Britain, Indonesia, Brazil, Canada, Finland and India, bringing Kathakali to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
He is a highly experienced Kathakali actor, recognised as an outstanding teacher and is the Co-Director of the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company. Through his patience, generosity and skill he has taken Kathakali to thousands of people, living in cities, towns and isolated rural areas of the UK.
KALAMANDALAM BARBARA VIJAYAKUMAR
Is a Kathakali make up specialist, Co-Director of the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company, visual artist and the workshop co-ordinator. Barbara trained at Rochdale College of Art, Winchester School of Art and finally the Kerala Kalamandalam, South India as the first female Kathakali Chutti [make up] artist in the world. Barbara provides the link between Asian and non-Asian culture and is responsible for the structure of the workshops.
Both artists work as a team to establish a greater understanding of Kathakali, and the ancient culture from which it evolved over 600 years ago.
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THE WORKSHOP
The workshops are suitable for all levels of education from primary to university level of instruction and aim to provide a deeper understanding of the stylised performing techniques of a Kathakali actor:
BODY EXERCISES
- Movement, control, focus.
HAND GESTURES -
Ancient Asian sign language.
FACIAL EXPRESSION -
Understanding emotion.
CHARACTERS
- Body language and gesture.
THE WORKSHOP WILL INCLUDE:
· The ancient culture and ritual used in Kathakali.
· Physical exercise, body co-ordination and focus.
· Asian sign language and gesture used to tell a story.
· Facial expression characters and body language.
THE WORKSHOP AIMS TO:
· Increase the awareness of non-western drama.
· Provide an opportunity to learn new skills
· Promote self-confidence and self-expression.
· Provide a chance to work with an international artist.
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THE TALK WITH SLIDES
By Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar
THE TALK WILL INCLUDE:
The ancient cultural background to Kathakali.
How an actor prepares for the performance.
The characters and their costumes and make up.
The geographical and social background of Kathakali.
THE TALK AIMS TO:
Increase the awareness of non-western drama.
Discover the background to Kathakali.
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THE DEMONSTRATION
By Kalamandalam Vijayakumar
THE DEMONSTRATION WILL INCLUDE:
How an actor tells a story through stylised gesture.
Illustrate how people from different cultures
tell a story.
How an actor uses facial expression and
sign language.
THE DEMONSTRATION AIMS TO:
Expose the performing techniques of a
Kathakali actor.
Highlight key gestures in the story to be seen.
Expose the culture background to Kathakali
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THE SOLO PERFORMANCE
by Kalamandalam Vijayakumar
THE PERFORMANCE WILL INCLUDE:
An ancient story from the Mahabharatha
A performance in full costume and make up.
THE PERFORMANCE AIMS TO:
Bring professional Kathakali into education.
Encourage people to focus and concentrate
Increase the awareness of non-western storytelling
Experience how a Kathakali actor uses
the imagination of the audience to tell the story.
The story reveals how a corrupt King orders a wicked lady to kill the baby Lord Krishna.
However, her encounter with the divine child brings her peace and salvation.
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NUMBERS
WORKSHOP
Approximately 35 plus staff
PERFORMANCE
Unlimited
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AGES:
Primary, junior, secondary, college, University, teachers, people with learning difficulties, people with disabilities and professional practitioners.
WE PROVIDE
WORKSHOPS,
lectures, demonstrations
SOLO PERFORMANCES
PERFORMANCES
RESIDENSIES
courses & specialised training
EXHIBITIONS
of costumes +kshops/performances
We tour our own lights, sound system and projector.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
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KATHAKALI - DRAMA
10 KEY POINTS:
KATHA means story and KALI means play, therefore, Kathakali is a DRAMA that uses movement to
tell a story.
A Kathakali artist is called anACTOR and a performance a PLAY . Kathakali is performed traditionally by men.
Kathakali is an act of DEVOTION based on the
HINDU religion
Kathakali is specific to the state of KERALA, South West India
Kathakali is performed by a GROUP of actors, musicians singers and make up artists who work as a team to present stories from the ancient Hindu epics.
The actor portrays characters from the ancient epic stories – Mahabharatha and the Ramayana, to illustrate that GOOD PREVAILS OVER EVIL.
In Kerala, a Kathakali performance is traditionally performed in temples from DUSK to DAWN and attended by the whole village after months
of preparation.
Thecostumes and make up used in Kathakali is stunning. The costumes take months of work by skilled crafts people to make. The three-dimensional make up [made from rice paste and paper] is unique to Kathakali and takes hours to apply by a specifically trained person called a CHUTTI ARTIST.
The actor uses a SEED from a flower to die the eyes red to make the characters look as if they are from the world of the GODS.
The actor shows respect to the stage before starting the performance. The stage is considered to be sacred and a place where the Gods and Goddesses tell
their stories.
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TO BOOK KATHAKALI FOR YOUR SCHOOL OR COLLEGE
Please contact:
KATHAKALI
1 Holland Road
Woolston
Southampton
Hampshire
SO19 9FW
UK
Tel: 00 44 [0] 23 80 420114
Fax: 00 44 [0] 23 80 444468.
e-mail: info@kathakali.net | 
