Kathakali -A classical dance-unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance from Kerala India

Kathakali
is the classical dance-drama of Kerala, South India, which dates from the
17th century
and is rooted in Hindu mythologyKathakali has unique combination of
literature, music, painting, acting and dance.Kathakalia originated from Ramanattom (“Rama”= the Hindu god, Sri Rama;
“nattom”= enactment”) and Krishnanattom ("Krishna"= the Hindu god,
Krishna; “nattom”= enactment). History has it that Raja (ruler) ofKottarakkara A(a province in Kerala) sculpted Ramanattom when the Zamorin (then ruler
of Kozhikode, another province in Kerala) refused to allow a
performance of Krishnanattom in the former’s palace. Subsequently,
Kottayam Thampuran (ruler of Kottayam, another province in Kerala)
composed several plays on Mahabharata thereby making these distinct
from stories based on Ramanattom. Thus, Kathakali was born.

Kathakali is considered to be a combination of five elements of fine art:

• Expressions (Natyam, the component with emphasis on facial expressions)
• Dance (Nritham, the component of dance with emphasis on rhythm and movement of hands, legs and body)
• Enactment (Nrithyam, the element of drama with emphasis on "mudras", which are hand gestures)
• Song/vocal accompaniment (Geetha)
• Instrument accompaniment (Vadyam)
• Traditionally there are 101 classical Kathakali stories. Most of them were initially composed to last a whole night.
• he language of the songs used for Kathakali is a mix of Malayalam and Sanskrit.
  called Manipravaalam. Even though the songs are set for “ragas” based
  on South Indian Classical Music” (Karnatic Music), there is a distinct
  style of rendition, which is known as the “sopanam” style. The Sopanam
  style incorporates the moods of temple songs which used to be sung
  (continues even now at some temples) at the time when Kathakali was
  born.
• Traditionally, a Kathakali performance is usually conducted at night
  and ends in early morning. Nowadays it is not difficult to see
  performances as short as 3 hours. Kathakali is usually performed in
  front of a Kalivilakku (“kali”= dance; “vilakku”= lamp). Traditionally,
  the lamp used to provide light when the plays used to be performed
  inside temples, houses of nobles and palaces.
• he main facial expressions of a Kathakali artist are the 'navarasams' (
  'Navarasas' in anglicised form )(literal translation: Nine Tastes, but
  more loosely translated as nine feelings or expressions) which are
  Sringaaram (amour), Haasyam (ridicule, humour), Bhayam (fear), Karunam
  (pathos), Rowdram (anger, wrath), Veeram (valour), Beebhatsam
  (disgust), Adbhutham (wonder, amazement), Saantham (tranquility,
  peace). The link at the end of the page gives more details on Navarasas.
• One of the most interesting aspects of Kathakali is its elaborate
  make-up code. Most often, the make-up can be classified into five basic
  sets namely Pacha, Kathi, Kari, Thaadi, and Minukku. The differences
  between these sets are the predominant colors that are applied on the
  face. Pacha (Pacha=green)has green as the dominant color and is used to
  portray noble male charcaters who is said to have a mixture of "Satvik"
  (pious)and "Rajasic" (kingly)nature. Rajasic characters having an evil
  streak ("tamasic"= evil), such as the demon king Ravana, are portrayed with red as the predominant color in a green background.
• The most popular Kathakali artists have obtained their training from
  one the four centers below, which follow the traditional "gurukula"
  style. Moreover these four centers are the oldest ones with some of
  them present from pre-independent era of India. Kerala Kalamandalam
  (located in Cheruthuruthy, near Shoranur, Kerala) PSV Natya Sanghom
  (located in Kottakal, near Kozhikode, Kerala) Gandhi Seva Sadan
  Kathakali and Classic Arts Academy (located in Perur, near Palakkad,
  Kerala) and Unnayi Varier Smaraka Kalanilayam (located in Iringalakuda,
  near Thrissur, Kerala)