2017-03-04 Sat

A highly graceful dance-drama known for its attractive make-up, elaborate costumes with detailed gestures and well-defined body movements rhyming with the music is known as ‘Kathakali’. Its practice started in early 17th century and has developed over the years.

Kathakali is one of the oldest theater forms in the world with its origin in Kerala. It is quite different from other classical dances due to its dramatic nature. It was only performed by men until recently. Mythological epics are the themes used in this dance-drama which give an outwardly quality to it. Kathakali is a dance of supernatural grandeur, fashionable costumes and masks-like make-up adorned in different colour and design.

The dance technique of Kathakali is a developed language of gestures through which a dancer conveys the whole story. To learn this dance an artist has to go through a rigorous training process and special periods of body massage which increases their flexibility.

It has been a tradition that Kathakali is performed in the evening and continued throughout the night. Its climax is always performed at the dawn when the good finally conquers evil. But today this art is performed in theaters and on stages where more people are able to enjoy and understand this beautiful tradition of classical dance.

To celebrate and support this dance form India Post have issued an commamioratve stamp in 2002.

To know more about Classical dances click here.