Kathakali Show in Kochi

Experience the magic of Kathakali, an ancient Indian art form, in Kochi. This 2-hour experience begins with an hour-long immersive journey into the world of Kathakali makeup, where you can watch as skilled artists transform into captivating characters. Playfully try your hand at applying some colors to your own face, adding a personal touch to the experience.

The second hour unfolds with a mesmerising Kathakali performance, where you'll witness the graceful hand gestures (mudras) and powerful facial expressions (bhava) that bring characters to life. Watch these dedicated artists, with over 35 years of expertise, perform a traditional narrative dance, all set to live music and soulful singing. This immersive experience is a feast for the senses, sure to leave you awestruck by the vibrant storytelling and cultural richness of Kathakali.

Kochi kathakali show duration: 2 hour

Origins and Evolution of Kathakali: The ‘Ballad of The East’ 

Kathakali, from the Malayalam words for ‘story’ (katha) and ‘play’ (kali), a befitting name for an art form that brings epic tales to life through movement, music, and expression. It took shape in the 17th century, drawing from earlier temple and folk traditions, particularly Krishnattam and Ramanattam.

With the help of the Zamorin of Calicut, Krishnattam concentrated on Krishna's life. Kottarakkara Thampuran responded by creating Ramanattam, which is based on the Ramayana. Ramanattam shaped Kathakali's format, content, and narrative style, laying the structural foundation for the work. Koodiyattam and classical Sanskrit theatre were gradually incorporated into the form, particularly in the areas of performance design and acting methods.

Kathakali became a highly codified tradition as it spread beyond temple spaces and royal courts. The art form uses the Navarasas, or nine facial expressions, to express complex emotions and is based on a system of hand gestures developed by the Hasta Lakshana Deepika. Everything is conveyed through choreographed action, controlled body movements, and facial expressions rather than spoken dialogue.

Mostly taken from epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, the characters are portrayed with ornate headdresses, symbolic makeup, and elaborate costumes. Every sound and visual component contributes to the development of the story. The performance's tempo and tone are determined by the music, which consists of traditional percussion and vocals.

One of the most important aspects of discovering Kerala's rich cultural legacy is seeing an authentic Kathakali performance. Traditional Kathakali theatre visits are a common part of Kerala tour packages, giving visitors a chance to experience this age-old art form in an environment that is true to its original context. In South India, cities like Kochi and Thekkady regularly host performances by skilled artists, preserving this age-old custom.

Kathakali Makeup: A Canvas of Expressions

Kathakali's makeup, known as ‘Vesham’, not only serves the right looks but is a visual language that defines the character's nature, emotions, and moral alignment. This intricate art form transforms performers into vivid embodiments of gods, demons, and heroes, enabling audiences to instantly recognize and interpret each role.

The Five Primary Vesham Categories:

1. Pacha (green): represents virtue and nobility. This makeup, which is distinguished by a green base face colour that denotes a noble nature, is worn by characters such as Lord Rama and Arjuna. 

2. Kathi (Knife): Stands for regal yet evil figures. Arrogance and evil are depicted by the makeup, which combines green with red streaks and a white knob on the nose. 

3. Thaadi (Beard): Three categories of thaadi (beard) exist:

• Vella Hanuman and other divine beings are depicted in Thaadi (White Beard).
• Chuvanna Thaadi (Red Beard): Shows violent and evil personalities.
• Kari (Black Beard): Stands for hunters and forest inhabitants.

4. Minukku (Radiant): Used for sages and other gentle and spiritual characters. The makeup's base, which is yellowish-orange, symbolises inner peace.

5. Kari (Black): Indicates grotesque and malevolent figures with black makeup and disproportionate features, such as witches and she-demons. ​

The Chutti: Framing Expressions

The ‘Chutti’, a white border made of rice paste that frames the face, is a defining characteristic of Kathakali makeup. During performances, this intricate structure improves visibility by emphasising facial expressions and creating a three-dimensional effect. Applying Chutti is a painstaking procedure that frequently involves the performer lying down for hours while the makeup artist expertly builds the layers.

Natural Ingredients Used: Traditional Kathakali makeup utilizes natural substances like:

• Rice Paste and Lime: For the Chutti.
• Natural Pigments: Derived from stones and plants for various colors.
• Coconut Oil: Used as a base for mixing pigments.

Movements and Gestures: The Language of Kathakali

In Kathakali, every movement has meaning. The dance form relies on a codified system of gestures and body language to narrate stories without spoken dialogue. Kathakali's storytelling transcends mere words, relying heavily on the performer's facial expressions and eye movements to convey emotions and narratives. This expressive technique is known as Raasabhinaya, a stylized form of facial expression integral to Kathakali and other classical Indian dance forms.

Key Movement Elements:

1. Mudras (Hand Gestures): There are 24 fundamental mudras used in Kathakali, and each one can convey a variety of meanings. By combining these hand signals in specific ways, whole sentences can be ‘spoken’, transforming gesture into conversation.

2. Body Posture and Movement: Strong, grounded movements are made possible by the performers' distinctive posture, which consists of bent knees and outward-turned feet. Powerful stamps, slow glides, and quick spins all contribute to the stage's rhythm and drama.

3. Eye Movements:

• Drishti Bheda, or Eye Techniques, are particular eye movements that express various moods. For ex., a downward gaze can convey humility or sadness, while a sideways glance may convey suspicion
• Sattvika Abhinaya: This technique involves using subtle eye movements to convey the character's inner feelings.

Kathakali Costumes: Visual Storytelling in Silk and Colour

The dramatic and symbolic Kathakali costumes are designed to transform the performer into a powerful, almost legendary character. Each component: color, fabric, or accessory has a distinct purpose in conveying the essence of the character being portrayed. These costumes are crucial to the visual storytelling of the art form and are not merely for show.

Key Costume Features:

• Massive Headgear: A unique headpiece is given to each type of character. While more modest headdresses identify sages or women, the tall crowns worn by gods or kings represent authority and prestige.
• Layered Skirts: To highlight their stamping and spinning motions, performers don wide, pleated skirts. Each gesture has a greater impact thanks to the volume and rhythm these skirts bring to the performance.
• Decorative Ornaments: The ensemble is finished with heavy jewellery such as armlets, earrings, and chest plates. The audience is drawn into the story's world by these elaborate accessories, which mirror the character's grandeur.

Musical Instruments: The Soul of Kathakali

Music is more than just an accompaniment in Kathakali; it is the performance's lifeblood. It blends in with the storytelling and dance to produce a rich aural tapestry that heightens the story's emotional impact and intensity. Each instrument in the Kathakali musical ensemble adds something special to the whole experience.

Key Instruments in Kathakali

• Chenda: Played with curved sticks, the chenda is a cylindrical drum. Its rich, resonant tones serve as a strong rhythmic basis and are essential to Kathakali performances. Action scenes, battles, and dramatic confrontations are emphasised with the chenda's dynamic beats, which heightens the scenes' intensity.
• Maddalam: Made of jackfruit wood, the maddalam is a barrel-shaped drum with leather heads on both ends. It is usually played standing up and worn around the waist. Compared to the chenda, the maddalam has a more muted sound, which makes it appropriate for scenes with female characters.
• Idakka: Played with the hands, the idakka is an hourglass-shaped drum. It is mostly employed when portraying female characters and creates a softer, more melodic tone. In keeping with the elegance and fluidity of the female roles depicted in Kathakal, the idakka's delicate rhythms add a delicate layer to the music.
• Gong Chengila: A big, flat gong struck with a mallet is called a chengila. It is used sparingly to highlight dramatic events, like a scene's climax or the entrance of a key character. Important points in the performance are highlighted by the resonant tones of the chengila, which pierce the ensemble.
• Ilathalam (Cymbals): Ilathalam are tiny cymbals that are played in pairs. They give the music texture and help keep the beat. The performance is punctuated by their bright, metallic sounds, which emphasise scene changes and improve the rhythmic structure as a whole.

Storytelling in Kathakali: Bringing Legends to Life

Kathakali is a traditional Indian dance-drama that uses a special fusion of music, movement, and visual storytelling to bring ancient epics to life. The Attakatha, which are narrative texts written in Sanskritized Malayalam and serve as the enactment's script, are essential to Kathakali performances.

The stages of a traditional Kathakali performance are as follows:

• Thodayam and Purappadu: These warm-up dances precede the performance. Purappadu introduces the characters to the audience while Thodayam is performed behind a curtain without elaborate costumes, emphasising only dance moves.
• The Iratti and Thonkaram: These are distinguished by their forceful movements and dynamic rhythms, are utilised for battle scenes and intense dramatic moments.
• Nalamiratti: This part acts as a bridge between scenes and a transition between the play's various chapters.