Kathakali a major form of classical dance-drama in India. It is a combination of dance, drama, and music performance originated from Kerala around 300 years ago. Stories from the Indian epics- Ramayana and Mahabharata are enacted to the viewers through excellent footwork and impressive gestures of face and hands complimented with music and vocal performance creates a divine experience.
Makeup & Costume
One of the most interesting aspects of Kathakali is its elaborate costumes consisting of headdresses, face masks, and vivid face painting. The makeup and costume follow a code based on the five major types of characters.
- Pacha (Green) - Noble Protagonists.
- Kathi (Knife) -Villainous Characters.
- Thadi (Beard)-
- Vella Thadi (White Beard) - Superhuman characters like Hanuman and Bali.
- Chuvanna Thadi (Red Beard)- Evil Characters.
- Karutha Thadi (Black Beard)-Hunters and forest dwellers.
-
- 4.Kari (Black) - Deamon characters.
-
- 5.Minukku- Female characters and sages.
Mudra
The systematic hand gestures used to enact the story or the sign language used to depict an idea, a situation, or a state of being.