Kathakali - Traditional Art Form of Kerala |
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Zonkerala Articles -> Kathakali background, costumes, make-up and major Kathakali centres in Kerala Kathakali Background - Music and Instrument  Costumes: The headgear worn by the various characters in Kathakali are excellent specimen of intricate wood carving, an ancient speciality of the region. Even the shiny finishing with trinkets take hours of painstaking labour by expert craftsmen. Most of the ornaments donning each character are made in this fashion too. Make-up: One of the most interesting aspects of Kathakali is its elaborate make-up code. Kathakali make-up is an elaborate process lasting for over three hours. Paints used in Kathakali make-up are freshly prepared and applied to ensure correctness of rhythmic curves and precision. Kathakali veshams are of five types : Pacha (Green)- portrays noble protagonists like King Nalan from Nalacharitham, Lord Rama, Arjuna etc. Kathi (Knife)- portrays villainous characters like Duryodhanan in Mahabharata Thadi (Beard)- There are three types of bearded or Thadi Veshams. "Vella Thadi" or White beard for superhuman monkeys like Hanuman. "Chuvanna Thadi" or Red beard is for evil characters like Bali in Balivadham, Rakshasas, Asuras etc "Karutha Thadi" or Black beard for the hunter like the Kattalan in Nalacharitham and Kiratham Kathakali. Kari (Black) - used for lady-demons (witches in Indian epic) like Poothana Minukku (Prettying Up)- used for female characters and sages - Damayanthi, Bhanumathi.
An intensive dance training is needed to
make the body flexible and supple in order to respond to unusual forms
weaved in the course of dancing. To achieve fluidity, a Kathakali pupil
undergoes extensive and vigorous training from an early age.
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