KATHAKALI-THE CLASSICAL DANCE FORM OF SOUTHINDIA

This short film in video format provides just a glimpse of KATHAKALI, the classical dance-drama of Kerala, South India, which dates from the 17th century and is rooted in Hindu mythology. Kathakali has a unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance.

The role of each of these art forms is very vital in the making of Kathakali what it is, the King of performing arts, particularly theatre.

Costumes:
The headgear worn by the various characters in Kathakali are excellent specimen of intricate wood carving, an ancient speciality of the region. Even the shiny finishing with trinkets take hours of painstaking labour by expert craftsmen. Most of the ornaments donning each character are made in this fashion too.
Make-up:
The make-up, called Chutty in the bibliography of Kathakali, is also an art form in itself. The colourful faces are the results of hours of painstaking handiwork by expert artists. Their work is, by no means subordinate to portrait painting. The basic materials used for the make up are very crude items like raw amorphous Sulphur, Indigo, Rice paste, Lime, Coconut oil etc.
Music:
One of the major distinguishing features of Kathakali is the absence of oral communication. A considerable part of the script is in the form of lyrics, sung by vocalists. The only accompaniments are percussion instruments. Chenda(Drum played with sticks) Maddalam(Drum played with fingers), Chengila(Gong) and Ilathalam(Cymbals). The style of music traditionally accepted is Sopana, where the range is limited to one and half octaves.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• SHORTS
• DANCE
• CLASSICAL
• INDIA
• FILLER
• FORSALE
• SPOTS
• AFTEREFFECTS
• PAINTING
• MUSIC
• ACTING
• MYTHOLOGY
• PERFORMINF
• MAKEUP
• THEATRE

[sakredfire]

coool...somewhat creepy. any actual perfomance?

[rejinet]

ya ofcourse do you wish to see it

[sakredfire]

yes I do very much. I want to get a sense of this dance. I'm already familiar with all of the other classical forms: Bharatnatyam, kuchipudi, odissi, kathak, manipuri. This one I don't

[rejinet]

may i get you the full details of the performance.we have a production house here and we may able to deliver what ever stuff you require.please do write back

[tapissary]

This is really exciting and so perfectly planned out. I'm amazed how you took the image of a smiling man, and showed his transition into a powerful being. The still to motion is thrilling, and that smile is no longer of mortal men. I watched many times to see how you achieved that extra spell of color... the red gold glow coming from the headdress. Excellent in all the techniques of presentation. I'm fine with its short length, as it is an intro to Kathakali.

[springtime65]

cool costume!!!!!!!!

[msnanthiny]

Excellent....I juz would like to ask? will u perform at Malaysia..Im finding for a kathakali dancer??

[thelazyreader]

@kookiefookie60 Unfortunately for your sense of judgement Katakali has no relation to Kabuki or Chinese opera, and in fact is descended from an art form older than both(Koodiyattam). No doubt your prejudice will try to ignore this inconvenient fact for your made-up artificial reality.

[kookiefookie60]

Judging by the makeup, costumes and the storytelling dance moves, I would say that this was heavily "borrowed" from Japanese Kubuki and the Chinese Opera.

[yachef]

Margi Ravikumar!

[libertyyy7]

AMAZING

[pixie1nur]

a nice film to introduce kathakali dance to people...additionally, i wish the guy remained just as in the beginning!...LOL.

[pixie1nur]

a nice film to introduce kathakali dance to people...additionally, i wish the guy remained just as in the beginning!...LOL.

[jasology]

this is awesome!

[PinoyCowboyka788]

Fantastic Video! Kathakali is beautiful. What music is this? Was it made for the video or is it Kodo?

[alandublin26]

Cool face painting! i got my face painted as a kid, i was supposed to be Dracula but i ended up lookin like a pale prostitute with bad make-up skills....