Kathakali

Kathakali is a 300-400 year old classical dance-drama from Kerala. It combines:

• Elaborate face makeup and towering costumes
• Highly expressive eye and facial movements
• A sophisticated language of hand gestures (mudras)
• Live percussion (especially chenda and maddalam)
• Stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas.

Unlike most dance forms, Kathakali performers rarely speak. The entire story is conveyed through expressions, gestures, movement and music.

Yudhishthira ( siting on floor left most), with four of his brothers behind him ( Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva).
Shakuni ( Uncle of Duryodhana & Dusshasana ) siting on floor on the right.
Duryodhana & Dusshasana ( siting on the stool behind Shakuni )
On the floor is the dice & mat

The makeup tells you the character

The makeup itself is a visual language:

• Green (Pacha) – noble heroes such as Krishna or Arjuna
• Knife-mark (Kathi) – arrogant or villainous kings
• Black – hunters, forest people or demons
• Red beard – fierce demons
• White beard – Hanuman and monkey characters

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