KATHAKALI
Kathakali is the most refined, scientific and elaborately defined dance form of Kerala. It is an exciting art form demanding not only complete control of practically every limb, but also intense emotional sensitivity. It had its origin in the courts of the Kings and is considered a synthetic art form combining in itself the rudiments of its earlier forms like 'Krshnanattam' and 'Ramanattam' with a highly scientific dance drama form. It is not folk, but highly classical. The stories for 'Attakathas' (the verse text for Kathakali) are selected from epics and mythologies. They are written in a highly Sanskritised verse form in Malayalam. The domain of Kathakali is peopled by super humans, gods and goddesses, demons, animals and other mythological characters who are presented in a larger than life format. What strikes the spectator is the splendour of the costumes, ornaments and make-up which transform the actor-dancer into a type rather than a particular character.
Kathakali performances traditionally begin just after sunset and continue all through the night. The actor does not speak, but expresses himself through complicated 'mudras' and steps, closely following the text, which is being sung from the background. The vocabulary for the performer is only 'hasta mudras' stylised hand gestures, facial gestures and nritta. Together with the exotic quality of the spectacle and the intricate 'abhinaya' system and the rhetorical text rendered in classical style to the accompaniment of drums, a Kathakali performance transports a spectator to an unworldly atmosphere.
It takes seven years of full time practice under a meticulous teacher for a novice to become an artiste. Kathakali is not simply another form of dancing. Training for professional performers begins from an early age. It is extremely rigorous and demanding. Most 'Attakathas' were written in the 19th Century. New 'Attakathas' as well as innovations in this field are appearing , like the one rendering Goethe's 'Faust'.
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