Videos of Kathakali, a famous art of Kerala ,കഥകളിയുടെ വീഡിയോ
കഥകളിയുടെ വീഡിയോ
Kathakali (Malayalam: ????? , pronounced [kat???ka?i]) is a form of highly stylised classical Indian dance-drama that is noted for its attractive make-up of characters, their elaborate costumes, detailed hand gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion. It originated in the country's southern state of Kerala during the 16th century AD, approximately between 1555 and 1605, and has been updated over the years with improved looks, refined gestures and added themes besides more ornate singing and precise drumming.
Kathakali is considered to be a combination of five elements of fine art:
* Expressions (Natyam, the component with emphasis on facial expressions)
* Dance (Nritham, the component of dance with emphasis on rhythm and movement of hands, legs and body)
* Enactment (Nrithyam, the element of drama with emphasis on "mudras", which are hand gestures)
* Song/vocal accompaniment (Geetha)
* Instrument accompaniment (Vadyam)
Even though the lyrics/literature would qualify as another independent element called Sahithyam, it is considered as a component of Geetha or music, as it plays only a supplementary role to Nritham, Nrithyam and Natyam.
Performance
Traditionally, a Kathakali performance is usually conducted at night and ends in early morning. Nowadays it isn't difficult to see performances as short as three hours or even lesser. Kathakali is usually performed in front of the huge Kalivilakku (kali meaning dance; vilakku meaning lamp) with its thick wick sunk till the neck in coconut oil. Traditionally, this lamp used to provide sole light when the plays used to be performed inside temples, palaces or abodes houses of nobles and aristocrats. Enactment of a play by actors takes place to the accompaniment of music (geetha) and instruments (vadya). The percussion instruments used are chenda, maddalam and, at times, edakka. In addition, the singers (the lead singer is called “ponnani” and his follower is called “singidi”) use "chengila" (gong made of bell metal, which can be struck with a wooden stick) and "ilathaalam" (a pair of cymbals). The lead singer in some sense uses the Chengala to conduct the Vadyam and Geetha components, just as a conductor uses his wand in western classical music. A distinguishing characteristic of this art form is that the actors never speak but use hand gestures, expressions and rhythmic dancing instead of dialogue (but for a couple of rare characters).
Kathakali Styles
Known as Sampradäya?(Malayalam:??????????); these are leading Kathakali styles that differ from each other in subtleties like choreographic profile, position of hand gestures and stress on dance than drama and vice versa. Some of the major original styles included:
1. Vettathu Sampradayam
2. Kalladikkodan Sampradyam
3. Kaplingadu Sampradayam
Of late, these have narrowed down to the northern (Kalluvazhi) and southern (Thekkan) styles. It is the highly stylised Kalluvazhi tradition (largely developed by the legendary Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon - 1881-1949) that is implemented in Kerala Kalamandalam (though it has also a department that teaches the southern style), Sadanam, RLV and Kottakkal. Margi has its training largely based on the Thekkan style, known for its stress on drama and part-realistic techniques. Kalanilayam, effectively, churns out students with a mix of both styles.
Kathakali
Preperation and performance.
Mahabharati (11-2 Kathakali)
A short clip (11-2 Kathakali) from the film "Mahabharati", 1989.
Dir. Peter Brook
Kathakali in Kerala
A dance performance in Fort Cochin. The demon wonders why she(!) is not attractive to Indra's son.
KATHAKALI in VARKALA
Hugely entertaining, and very intense. There were only 5 of us in the audience, but these performers and the muscicians gave it their all.
If you are ever in Varkala (State of Kerala, South India) go and support them and have an unforgettable time.
Kathakali Dance - Varkala - Kerala - India
Kathakali Dance - Varkala - Kerala - India
Kathakali Demonstration 5
A longer video of the Kathakali (kah-tu-kah-LI) performance.
Kathakali - classical dance form, Kerala (India)
Kathakali is a harmonious combination of five forms of fine art...Literature (Sahithyam), Music (Sangeetham), Painting (Chithram), Acting (Natyam) and Dance (Nritham)
Kathakali (Malayalam: ????? , pronounced [kat???ka?i]) is a form of highly stylised classical Indian dance-drama that is noted for its attractive make-up of characters, their elaborate costumes, detailed hand gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion. It originated in the country's southern state of Kerala during the 16th century AD, approximately between 1555 and 1605, and has been updated over the years with improved looks, refined gestures and added themes besides more ornate singing and precise drumming.
Kathakali is considered to be a combination of five elements of fine art:
* Expressions (Natyam, the component with emphasis on facial expressions)
* Dance (Nritham, the component of dance with emphasis on rhythm and movement of hands, legs and body)
* Enactment (Nrithyam, the element of drama with emphasis on "mudras", which are hand gestures)
* Song/vocal accompaniment (Geetha)
* Instrument accompaniment (Vadyam)
Even though the lyrics/literature would qualify as another independent element called Sahithyam, it is considered as a component of Geetha or music, as it plays only a supplementary role to Nritham, Nrithyam and Natyam.
Performance
Traditionally, a Kathakali performance is usually conducted at night and ends in early morning. Nowadays it isn't difficult to see performances as short as three hours or even lesser. Kathakali is usually performed in front of the huge Kalivilakku (kali meaning dance; vilakku meaning lamp) with its thick wick sunk till the neck in coconut oil. Traditionally, this lamp used to provide sole light when the plays used to be performed inside temples, palaces or abodes houses of nobles and aristocrats. Enactment of a play by actors takes place to the accompaniment of music (geetha) and instruments (vadya). The percussion instruments used are chenda, maddalam and, at times, edakka. In addition, the singers (the lead singer is called “ponnani” and his follower is called “singidi”) use "chengila" (gong made of bell metal, which can be struck with a wooden stick) and "ilathaalam" (a pair of cymbals). The lead singer in some sense uses the Chengala to conduct the Vadyam and Geetha components, just as a conductor uses his wand in western classical music. A distinguishing characteristic of this art form is that the actors never speak but use hand gestures, expressions and rhythmic dancing instead of dialogue (but for a couple of rare characters).
Kathakali Styles
Known as Sampradäya?(Malayalam:??????????); these are leading Kathakali styles that differ from each other in subtleties like choreographic profile, position of hand gestures and stress on dance than drama and vice versa. Some of the major original styles included:
1. Vettathu Sampradayam
2. Kalladikkodan Sampradyam
3. Kaplingadu Sampradayam
Of late, these have narrowed down to the northern (Kalluvazhi) and southern (Thekkan) styles. It is the highly stylised Kalluvazhi tradition (largely developed by the legendary Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon - 1881-1949) that is implemented in Kerala Kalamandalam (though it has also a department that teaches the southern style), Sadanam, RLV and Kottakkal. Margi has its training largely based on the Thekkan style, known for its stress on drama and part-realistic techniques. Kalanilayam, effectively, churns out students with a mix of both styles.
Kathakali
Preperation and performance.
Mahabharati (11-2 Kathakali)
A short clip (11-2 Kathakali) from the film "Mahabharati", 1989.
Dir. Peter Brook
Kathakali in Kerala
A dance performance in Fort Cochin. The demon wonders why she(!) is not attractive to Indra's son.
KATHAKALI in VARKALA
Hugely entertaining, and very intense. There were only 5 of us in the audience, but these performers and the muscicians gave it their all.
If you are ever in Varkala (State of Kerala, South India) go and support them and have an unforgettable time.
Kathakali Dance - Varkala - Kerala - India
Kathakali Dance - Varkala - Kerala - India
Kathakali Demonstration 5
A longer video of the Kathakali (kah-tu-kah-LI) performance.
Kathakali - classical dance form, Kerala (India)
Kathakali is a harmonious combination of five forms of fine art...Literature (Sahithyam), Music (Sangeetham), Painting (Chithram), Acting (Natyam) and Dance (Nritham)
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