Kathakali: Revival of a Narrative

Abstract

Katha means story and Kali stands for play^[1]. Kathakali is a dance form with roots in drama, featuring themes from Indian epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Its elaborate make-up and hand gestures help identify characters, and it is accompanied by an orchestra including drums, cymbals, and gongs. Kathakali has been a part of Kerala's culture for over 400 years, with its birth resulting from political rivalry in the 17th century. The author's paper will explore the features and history of Kathakali as a dying form of drama and discuss whether it should be resurged, including interviews with Kathakali artists and reference to Phillip Zarrilli's book "Kathakali Dance-Drama: Where Gods and Demons Come to Play".

The technique of Kathakali includes a highly developed language of hand gesture, used to convey the story. The orchestra of a Kathakali performance includes two types of drums called Chenda and Maddalam accompanied by Elathalam (cymbals) and Chengila (gong). Usually two singers render the vocal support with songs sung in a style known as Sopanam.^[2]

In around 1657, the king of Kottarakara asked the king of Calicut to send his dance troops for a temple function. However, the political rivalry of the chieftains the King of Calicut not only refused his request but also humiliated and insulted him. Resultant the political rivalry extended itself to the field art where we find the birth of this new art form of Kathakali.^[3]

My paper addresses the theme whether this endangered art needs a revival narrative.

Additionally, the author's paper will examine the reasons behind the decline of Kathakali as a form of drama and whether efforts should be made to revive it and how. The paper will involve interviews with Kathakali artists and draw heavily from Phillip Zarrilli's book "Kathakali Dance-Drama: Where Gods and Demons Come to Play" for research.

[1] http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/19723/8/08_chapter%201.pdf

[2] http://www.indiavideo.org/invis-dvds/kathakali-kalyanasougandhikam-part-1-3680.php#Desc

[3] Kathakali - An amazing Art form of Kerala (Part 1) [RED PIX] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63tKLX4Zkgo)