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Home > Kerala Temples > Performing Arts > Kathakali KathakaliKathakaliThe exact period of origin of kathhakali, the dance-drama is not known but it post-dates Krishnanaattam. The Raja of Kottarakkara requested the Zamorin of Kozhikode (Calicut) to send his krishnanaattam troupe of Guruvayoor for performance at Kottarakkara but the latter refused on the ground that the southerners had no talents to appreciate the histrionic performances. Having felt humiliated at his reply he invented raamanaattam in which the story of Ramayana is staged. Dr. Godavarma ascribes the period of kathhakali after 853 ME (1878 AD). During its development kathakali took different aspects from various sources like puraanic themes from chaakkiar-kootthu, stylistic renderings on the line of Geetha Govindam, costumes similar to krishnanaattam, gestures from raamanaattam, aangyas, mudras (symbols) and bhava from kootiyattam. The kathhakali witnessed, a magical revival at the hands of Poet Laureate Vallathol Narayana Menon who founded the Kerala Kalaamandalam (in 1930). The stories of kathhakali are mostly taken from the Hindu mythology and is staged, whether in the temple theatres or outside, with the background of the rhythm of drums, cymbals and gongs. The characters of kathhakali basically fall under the thri-gunas viz. saathvik, raajasik and thaamasik or a combination of them. Among them the principal types are paccha (green), katthi (knife), thaati (beard), kari (black) and minukk (polish). Paccha characters are males and possess sathva-guna and in make up also green is the pre-dominant facial colour. The general mythological characters of Sree Krishna, Sree Rama, Sree Lakshmana, Pandavas, Nala, Kubera, Rugmangada, Indra, Ambareesha, Vibheeshana, Prahlaada, Viraata, Utharan, Uthaanapada, Druva, Harichandra, Dushyantha, Bharatha, Sathrughna, etc fall under this type. Katthi characters symbolize demonic characters such as Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Indrajit, Sisupaala, Danthravakthra, Hiranyakasipu, Baanan, Kamsa, Mahabali, Duryodhana, Keechaka, Narakaasura, Krimira, Yama, Sakuni, Mareecha etc. The thaati types are sub-grouped into three viz. chuvanna-thaati (red-beard), vella-thaati (white-beard) and Karuthha-thaadi (black-beard). The characters under chuvanna-thaati are Baali, Sugriva, Baka, Jarasandha, Jatasura, Dussaasana, Veerabhadra, Aghaasura, Narakaasura while under vella-thaati are Hanuman, Jaambavan etc. Kali, Vishnujuvaram etc fall under karuthha-thaati. Kaattalan, Guha, Soorpanaka, Simhika, Nakrathundi, Hidumbi, Poothana, Thaataka etc are represented by Kari types which are essentially of fierce types. The minukk characters generally represent gentleness, restrained poise and high spiritual qualities. Female characters (except rakshasis) belong to this group such as Sathi, Seetha, Parvathi, Mahalakshmi, Indrani, Saraswathi, Urvasi, Mandodari, Usha, Chithralekha, Damayanthi, Paanchali, Anasooya etc. Kanva, Vaalmeeki, Saandeepani, Beeshmar, Krpar, Dronar, Aswathhaama, Viswamithra, Parasurama, Durvassav, Bhrigu, etc and brahmins in the stories of Santhanagopalam, Baka-vadham, Rugmini-swayamvaram, Rugmangadacharitham, Rajasooya, Dakshayaaga, Nalacharitham, Ambareeshacharitham etc. and servants and menials also fall under minukk type. In addition masks are used by some characters like Ganapathi, Sree Varahamoortthi, monkeys, animals, birds etc. In short kathhakali has a unique position as it combines in itself the display of hand gestures, body movements, expressions with sculptural multi-coloured faces and other attractive things like top coats, flowing scarves, bulging skirts, opulent head gears with long flowing hairs and above all antique-looking ornaments. Being a living demonstration of all the principles laid down in Bharat Naatya Saasthra, it has grown over the ages and has now become an internationally recognized art form.
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