The Story Behind the History of Kathakali
Kathakali is a form of Indian classical dance-drama that incorporates aesthetic and animation, traditional literature, religious stories, musical tradition, and elaborate costumes. It is a form of theater meant to entertain, educate, and illuminate.
Kathakali originated in the Indian state of Kerala on the Malabar coast during the 16th century. It not only captivated Indian audiences at the time but continues to be one of the most popular forms of theater in South India. The dance itself is an amalgamation of mudras (hand gestures and body movements) combined with some basic body movements.
The history of Kathakali is an interesting one. The roots of this art form can be traced to the ‘Bharagtuna’ or ‘Kuášavan’ folk play in ancient Kerala. It is believed that the plays presented during the festivals of temple gods in Kerala formed the foundation for this dance form. Kathakali developed further with the addition of elements from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and other epics. As time passed, poets such as Uddandi, Unnayi, and Vilvamangalam began to write stories and plays based on Indian myths and legends. By the late 1800s, the performance art form adopted many aspects of its current form.
Today, Kathakali performances are generally divided into two sections: the presentation of an episode from the Ramayana or Mahabharat, and the performance of a particular "vakyam" or utterance from Indian literature. While the origin and evolution of this art form is not clearly known, scholars have tried to uncover the source material from which its stories and characters were drawn. Kathakali is known to be a representation of mythological stories, especially those found in the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Kathakali costumes are highly elaborate and colorful. The actors use stylized gestures to convey their emotions, such as love, courage, pride, sorrow, and innocence.
Kathakali is a complex art form that combines both South Indian classical music and North Indian Kathak. The use of elaborate masks, costumes, and ornate jewelry serve to highlight the story, which can be both entertaining and educational. This ancient art form is gaining more popularity in India and is being increasingly adopted in various parts of the world. Kathakali has earned an influential place in India’s cultural heritage and will no doubt continue to be enjoyed by audiences for generations to come.
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