What is the story behind Kathakali?

Part-dance and part-mime, Kathakali originated in the state of Kerala between the 16th and 17th centuries, around the same time as Shakespeare. The Kalluvazhi Chitta style being performed by these dancers was born on the stage at the now-closed Kathakali school at Olappamanna Mana in Vellinezhi, almost 200 years ago.

What do the style and movements in Kathakali indicate?

3) Requires vivid make-up, unique face masks and costumes worn by dancers and their style and movements reflect the age-old martial arts and athletic conventions prevalent in Kerala4) Traditionally performed by male dancers, it developed in courts and theatres of Hindu regions contrary to other Indian classical dances …

What are the five main roles in Kathakali?

The five major Veshams in Kathakali are Kathi (Knife), Pacha (Green), Thaadi (Beard), Minukku (radiant) and Kari (Black). The noble and the divine, appear in Green. Kathi represents the arrogant and evil, however, with a vein of gallantry.

How is word Kathakali formed what does it mean?

story-play
The literal meaning of the word Kathakali is “story-play”. The term Kathakali is a combination of two Malayalam words “katha” (meaning story) and “kali”(meaning play). Hand gestures occupy a very important place in Kathakali, like all other forms of Indian classical dance.

What is the literary form of Kathakali?

Aattakatha is a literary genre in Malayalam language consisting of the libretto used for the Indian classical dance drama kathakali. The word aatta-katha literally means “story for dancing and acting” (atu “to dance” + kathā “story”).

Which state dance is Tamasha?

state of Maharashtra
Tamasha (Marathi: तमाशा) is a traditional form of Marathi theatre, often with singing and dancing, widely performed by local or travelling theatre groups within the state of Maharashtra, India.

What are the elements of Kathakali?

Kathakali is a blend of dance, music and acting and dramatizes stories, which are mostly adapted from the Indian epics. It is a stylised art form, the four aspects of abhinaya – angika, aharya,vachika, satvika and the nritta, nritya and natya aspects are combined perfectly.

What is the technique of Kathakali?

In Kathakali these cadences of dance patterns culminate in compositions known as araddis which are usually multiples of three. In both, the dancer begins the movement in the slow tempo of the basic metrical cycle and then to the mnemonics of the mandalam and the chenda, executes the nritta patterns.

What is special about Kathakali?

Kathakali (Malayalam: കഥകളി) is a major form of classical Indian dance. It is a “story play” genre of art, but one distinguished by the elaborately colourful make-up, costumes and face masks that the traditionally male actor-dancers wear.

Can girls do Kathakali?

Women artistes in Kathakali are determined to move centre stage and take their rightful place on the stage. Kathakali originated at a time when women were confined within the walls of a household. All these arts had men doing the roles of women characters. Kathakali has always been considered a male art form .

What is special about kathakali?

What are the elements of kathakali?

What is the difference between Kathak and Kathakali?

Kathak Dance form. Kathak is one of the eight most popular classical dance forms which are prevalent in India.

Kathakali Dance Form. Kathakali is one of the popular classical dance forms in India.

Conclusion. This shows how both the dance form differs from each other right from their origin to the basic characteristics.

Is Kathak different from Kathakali?

One of the main differences between Kathak and Kathakali is that the dancers of the Kathakali style get adorned with attractive make-up and elaborate costumes. These dancers perform with body movements that are well defined. Their gestures look well defined too.

What does the name Kathakali mean?

Etymology and nomenclature. The term Kathakali is derived from Katha (Sanskrit: “कथा”) which means “story, or a conversation, or a traditional tale”, and Kali (from Kala, “कला”) which means “performance and art” .

What does Kathakali mean?

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: Kathakali is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion.