Kathakali
A Marvel of Perfection
The term Kathakali has become almost
synonymous with Kerala. Any foreign tourist coming to Kerala for the first
time, the first thing he might search for is a Kathakali performance. Nothing quite like Kathakali exists
anywhere else in the world, although some of the primitive forms of what
are usually called as ‘dumb dramas’ or pantomimes or masked plays had existed
among ancient tribes and folk.
Kathakali, as it prevails today
is the result of a series of evolution and stylization of ancient ritual
plays and the traditional system of gymnasium in Kerala.
Literally, Kathakali means story
play, ‘katha’ means story and ‘kali’ means play. But actually, it is something
much more than story play. There is a story in it, there is no poetry in
it, there is dance in it, there is orchestral music, there is vocal music,
there is art of painting, art of costuming - all these blended harmoniously
to give birth to perfect art and at the same time each is a perfect art
form by itself. But above all those, in Kathakali there is the art of effective
communication, the technique of effective communication with the aid of
'mudras' (gestures), 'satwikabhinaya' or projection of emotion, 'mukha
abhinaya' or facial expression and 'kalasas', all dance movements.
Acclaimed as
one of the greatest classical art forms of the world, Kathakali Originated
during the first half of the 17th century in Kerala as a temple art. Today, Kathakali is generally presented in temples during
festivals. Usually, it is a nightlong performance conducted in the
open air on one of the simplest stages.
Kathakali artists are usually men and boys. They undergo a
minimum of 8 years of ruthless training from the age of 10 or 12 in order bring
under perfect control every part of their body solely for the sake of aesthetic
expression. Their eyes are ever vibrant, facial muscles eloquent, fingertips
creative and the whole person, the very embodiment of rhythm.
