Kathakali Show in Thekkady

The Kathakali Show in Thekkady offers an unforgettable cultural experience, immersing visitors in Kerala’s rich artistic heritage. With expressive gestures, intricate body movements, and dramatic storytelling based on the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the performance is visually stunning. The vibrant, symbolic makeup green for heroes, red for villains, and yellow for monks and women along with traditional heavy costumes, creates a mesmerizing atmosphere. Traditional instruments like the chenda, maddalam, and ela taalam provide dynamic rhythms that enhance the experience. This captivating show allows visitors to connect with Kathakali’s deep cultural roots, offering insights into the dancers’ years of dedicated training. Set in the heart of Thekkady, the performance blends rich storytelling, vibrant visuals, and soul-stirring music, making it a must-see cultural highlight.

Activity Duration: 1 hour

Activity Timings: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Introduction to Kathakali: The Art of Storytelling

Kathakali is a mesmerising classical dance-drama from Kerala, India, celebrated for its striking costumes, elaborate facial makeup, and expressive storytelling. Rooted in ancient traditions, it blends dance, music, and acting to narrate tales from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. In Malayalam, "Katha" means story, and "Kali" means play, making Kathakali a form of storytelling through performance.

Experiencing an authentic Kathakali performance is an essential part of exploring Kerala’s rich cultural heritage. Many Kerala tour packages include visits to traditional Kathakali theatres, offering tourists an opportunity to witness this enchanting art form up close.

However, it is more than just a theatrical representation—it is a visually captivating and deeply symbolic art form that demands years of rigorous training. Performers use intricate hand gestures (mudras), exaggerated facial expressions, and rhythmic body movements to bring mythological characters to life, captivating audiences with their emotive portrayals.

Kathakali traces its origins to the 17th century when it evolved from earlier Kerala art forms such as Koodiyattam, Krishnanattam, and Ramanattam. The Raja of Kottarakkara is credited with shaping Kathakali into a distinct form by integrating elements of martial arts like Kalaripayattu, classical Sanskrit theatre, and traditional temple performances. Initially performed in royal courts and temple courtyards, Kathakali gradually developed into a well-structured and highly codified dance-drama. Today, this dance form continues to captivate audiences worldwide, offering a unique blend of visual spectacle and profound storytelling.

Kathakali Makeup: A Canvas of Expressions

Makeup in Kathakali is an essential element that transforms performers into larger-than-life mythological characters. Known as "theppu", this elaborate face painting follows a strict color code that signifies the nature and personality of each role. The makeup is made using natural pigments and rice paste, ensuring vibrant and long-lasting effects under stage lighting.

The makeup is categorised into five primary Veshams (character types), each defined by specific colors and patterns:

1. Pacha (Green): Represents noble and virtuous characters like Lord Rama and Arjuna. The bright green base signifies purity and heroism.

2. Kathi (Knife): Worn by arrogant or villainous characters like Ravana and Duryodhana. It combines a green base with red streaks to indicate a mix of nobility and cruelty.

3. Thadi (Beard): This category includes three types—

• Chuvanna Thadi (Red Beard): For excessively wicked characters like demons.
• Vella Thadi (White Beard): Reserved for divine or powerful beings like Hanuman.
• Karutha Thadi (Black Beard): Used for primitive and aggressive characters like hunters.

4. Kari (Black): Worn by forest dwellers, ogresses, and evil spirits, featuring a predominantly black face.

5. Minukku (Soft and Radiant): Used for female characters and sages, with a natural, yellowish complexion symbolising grace and serenity.

A key feature of the makeup is Chutti, a white rice-paste border around the face, highlighting expressions. Eyes are lined with natural black dye, and turmeric & vermilion create a dramatic red effect, making Kathakali’s makeup as captivating as its performance.

Kathakali Dresses and Costumes: Grandeur on Stage

The costumes in Kathakali are nothing short of magnificent, designed to elevate the performers into larger-than-life characters. Every detail, from the flowing robes to the elaborate headgear, is carefully chosen to represent the nature and status of the character being portrayed.

Key Costume Features:

• Massive Headpieces: Kathakali performers wear large, intricately designed headdresses that symbolise their character's grandeur or significance.
• Flowing Skirts: Dancers wear wide, voluminous skirts, adding to the dramatic flair of the performance and amplifying the dynamic body movements.
• Extravagant Jewelry: Costumes are adorned with elaborate jewelry, enhancing the character's status and drawing attention to the performer’s presence on stage.

The costume and make-up are not just for visual appeal but are vital tools for expressing the epic nature of Kathakali's storytelling. They transform the dancer into a figure that transcends ordinary human experience, making the performance a mesmerising spectacle.

Movements and Gestures: The Language of Kathakali

Kathakali is a dance-drama where storytelling is brought to life through expressive facial gestures, symbolic hand movements, and dynamic footwork. Unlike modern dance forms, it does not rely on spoken dialogue; instead, the narrative unfolds through meticulously practiced movements and expressions, making every gesture deeply significant.

Facial Expressions and Eye Movements

A Kathakali performer’s face is a canvas of emotions. The Navarasas (nine emotions) – from love and joy to anger and fear – are conveyed through precise eyebrow lifts, eye movements, and lip control. Inspired by Kalaripayattu, these movements add intensity to the performance, with even the flutter of an eyelid carrying meaning.

1. Hand Gestures (Mudras): Kathakali relies heavily on a codified system of Mudras (hand gestures) to narrate stories. With 24 basic mudras and over 500 combinations, performers can depict everything from fluttering birds to raging storms. Simple gestures like Pathaka (flag) and Mrigashirsha (deer head) replace spoken dialogue, making Kathakali a powerful visual language for storytelling.

2. Body Movements and Footwork: Kathakali’s controlled yet powerful movements demand years of training. Performers maintain a low stance, allowing graceful glides or dramatic leaps. Kalasams (dance sequences) showcase vigorous footwork, with each character's gait reflecting their role—noble figures move gracefully, while demons stomp forcefully.

3. Musical Instruments (The Soul of Kathakali): Music is the heartbeat of Kathakali, elevating its dramatic storytelling with rhythmic beats and soulful melodies. Rooted in the Sopana Sangeetham tradition, the orchestra blends percussion, cymbals, and live vocals, creating a powerful, immersive experience.

Key Instruments:

• Chenda: A cylindrical drum played with sticks, producing dramatic and intense beats
• Maddalam: A barrel-shaped drum played with the fingers and palms, offering a softer rhythm
• Edakka: A small hourglass-shaped drum that produces a range of tones and adds depth to the performance
• Ilathalam: A pair of cymbals that maintain the rhythm
• Shankh (Conch Shell): Used at the beginning of the performance to invoke a divine ambiance
• Chengila: A gong that provides a resonant background sound

Live vocalists narrate the story through emotive singing, seamlessly synchronised with the dancers' movements. Together, these elements create a mesmerising soundscape, bringing the magic of Kathakali to life!

Storytelling in Kathakali: Bringing Legends to Life

The narratives of Kathakali performances are primarily drawn from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas. Some of the most commonly performed stories include:

• Keechaka Vadham: The slaying of Keechaka by Bhima
• Duryodhana Vadham: The battle between Duryodhana and Bhima
• Kalyanasougandhikam: Hanuman’s quest for the divine flower
• Rugmini Swayamvaram: The tale of Krishna’s love for Rugmini

Each story is depicted in a highly stylised manner, with slow, deliberate movements allowing the audience to absorb every nuance of the performance. The combination of facial expressions, hand gestures, and rhythmic footwork brings these age-old tales to life in a way that transcends language barriers.