ക്വട്ടേഷൻ നോട്ടീസ് (wood )
Kathakali, a highly stylized classical dance-drama is considered to have originated around the mid-seventeenth century. The King of Kottarakkara originally composed 8 plays from the epic Ramayana and called it Ramanattam. There is not sufficient information regarding the visual rendering of this art form. It is assumed that the king may have been inspired by the aesthetics and stage craft of Kutiyattam and also the indigenous folk arts and rituals that prevailed during his times, to create a unique, visually appealing art form Kathakali.Years later, another King, King of Kottayam, with the practical guidance of great Gurus of Natya and Nritha (acting and dancing) brought about significant changes to Kathakali. Since the 17th century, when this art form was conceived in its primordial form, Kathakali has undergone dramatic changes in its form and content.
Kathakali is the confluence of acting, dancing and music (vocal as well as instrumental). In other forms of dance or drama, Kathakali artists do not speak. The text of the play or the ballad, is sung by two singers who sing in the background, on stage. The actors then enact the play accordingly, following the song, through hand gestures, body movements and facial expressions. The principal singer called the Ponnani and the supporting one called the Shinkiti, mark the rhythm on two instruments called llathaalam and Chengila (a gong). The Chenda, Maddlam, Itakka are the other percussion instruments that support the music and the play. The make-up and costuming are elaborate and intricate. It takes 3-4 hours for an artist to be dressed for performance. The costumes and ornaments are showy as well as colourful.
There are more than a hundred kathakali plays but a select few like the "Nalacharitham', 'Kuchelavrtham', 'Santhaanagopalam', 'Kalyanasowgandhikam' etc. are all time favourites. The stories that appear in Kathakali are based on the epics Mahabharatha/Ramayana or from Indian mythology. The language is mostly Manipravaala, a mixture of Sanskrit and Malayalam.
In the early days, the female roles were played by men themselves. Those with a petite structure and good facial features were chosen to portray the female characters.
Kathakali was at the brink of extinction during the early 19th century. The provincial rulers disbanded their Kathakalai troupes due to financial and social constraints. The timely intervention of art connoisseurs like Vallathol helped the revival of Kathakali and other classical art forms.
Now 70-75 years since the inception, Kalamandalam has trained hundreds of students in a unique style of presentation called the 'kalamandalama style'in Kathakali.