Kathakali owes much to ‘Koodiyattam’. Many of the steps, the methods of acting, the ‘Mudras (the typical gestures or signs with the hands), are borrowed from Koodiyattam. It may be said that Kathakali is a form of art where the elements of ‘Nrutham’, ‘Nruthyam’, ‘Natyam’, ‘Vadyam’, ‘Alekhyam’, ‘Silpam’ have joined together in appropriate proportion. To be precise Kathakali belongs to the category of ‘Nruthym’. “Nruthyam’ is based on what is called ‘Padarthabhinayam’. Padarthabhinayam is the way of acting with the help of the “Mudras’, that explains the meaning of the words. ‘Natyam’ is based on what is called ‘Vakyarthabhinayam’, where the dancer seeks to express the meaning of the words through different ‘Bhavas’ (facial expressions especially).
A Kathakali performance has eight parts. They are:
(1) The Keli
(2) The Arangu Keli
(3) The Thodayam
(4) The Vandana Slokam
(5) The Purappadu
(6) The Melappadam
(7) The Kadhabhinayam
(8) The Dhanarasi.
The Keli:-It is the first part. In this part the people living in the area are informed that a Kathakali is going to be staged that day. This is done with the help of various drums such as ‘Chenda’, ‘Maddhalam’, ‘Chengila’, and ‘Elathalam’.
The Aangu Keli: - Once the traditional ‘Vilakku’ (Traditional Lamp) is lighted on the ‘arangu’ (stage), Arangu Keli is performed by the ‘Madhalam’ player. It is also called ‘Kelikkai’, ‘Sudhamadhalam’ and ‘Ganapathi kottu’. ‘Chenda’ is not used at this time. After the Arangu Keli, the stage is covered with ‘Thirassila’, (curtain, a piece of cloth held by two people).
The Thodayam:- This is a rite to please the gods. The singers sing songs in praise of gods and two ‘Minukku’ actors without any make up dance according to the songs.
The Vandana Slokam: - After welcoming the audience, the ‘Slokas’ from the Aatttakkadha’ is sung.
The Purappadu- Earlier, the main character of the drama was introduced in this part. The ‘Vesham’ (character) who is introduced on the stage at this time will always be a good one.
The Melappadam:- After ‘Purappadu’, begins the ‘Melappadam’. A ‘geetham’ (kind of song), from the famous ‘Geethagovinda’, is sung on this occasion. Two drummers display their skill for about half an hour. Gong and cymbals are also played during Melappadam. This also serves as an occasion for the drummers and singers to exhibit their talent and proficiency.
TheKadhabhinayam:- Kadhabhinayam, follows the Melappadam. This part is further divided into two.. They are ‘Cholliyattam’ and ‘Elakiyattam’ respectively. The part in which the actors act with the ‘mudras’ in accordance with the singing of the singers standing behind, is called ‘Cholliyattam’.
The actors improvise the story before and after the Cholliyattam, to make the performance smooth. This is called ‘Elakiyattam’.
The Dhanarasi: - This is the last part of the performance. In this part a character dances in praise of god.
The Stage:
Unlike the dramas and many dance forms, Kathakali does not require a big, sophisticated stage. It can be staged on a stage erected temporarily. Earlier, it was a single traditional lamp that can light up the face of the actor of average height that provided the light required on the stage. But now modern lightings are used the stage. The ‘Thirassila’ (curtain) is a rectangular piece of cloth held by two people just before the beginning of the drama and between the scenes
A Kathakali performance has eight parts. They are:
(1) The Keli
(2) The Arangu Keli
(3) The Thodayam
(4) The Vandana Slokam
(5) The Purappadu
(6) The Melappadam
(7) The Kadhabhinayam
(8) The Dhanarasi.
The Keli:-It is the first part. In this part the people living in the area are informed that a Kathakali is going to be staged that day. This is done with the help of various drums such as ‘Chenda’, ‘Maddhalam’, ‘Chengila’, and ‘Elathalam’.
The Aangu Keli: - Once the traditional ‘Vilakku’ (Traditional Lamp) is lighted on the ‘arangu’ (stage), Arangu Keli is performed by the ‘Madhalam’ player. It is also called ‘Kelikkai’, ‘Sudhamadhalam’ and ‘Ganapathi kottu’. ‘Chenda’ is not used at this time. After the Arangu Keli, the stage is covered with ‘Thirassila’, (curtain, a piece of cloth held by two people).
The Thodayam:- This is a rite to please the gods. The singers sing songs in praise of gods and two ‘Minukku’ actors without any make up dance according to the songs.
The Vandana Slokam: - After welcoming the audience, the ‘Slokas’ from the Aatttakkadha’ is sung.
The Purappadu- Earlier, the main character of the drama was introduced in this part. The ‘Vesham’ (character) who is introduced on the stage at this time will always be a good one.
The Melappadam:- After ‘Purappadu’, begins the ‘Melappadam’. A ‘geetham’ (kind of song), from the famous ‘Geethagovinda’, is sung on this occasion. Two drummers display their skill for about half an hour. Gong and cymbals are also played during Melappadam. This also serves as an occasion for the drummers and singers to exhibit their talent and proficiency.
TheKadhabhinayam:- Kadhabhinayam, follows the Melappadam. This part is further divided into two.. They are ‘Cholliyattam’ and ‘Elakiyattam’ respectively. The part in which the actors act with the ‘mudras’ in accordance with the singing of the singers standing behind, is called ‘Cholliyattam’.
The actors improvise the story before and after the Cholliyattam, to make the performance smooth. This is called ‘Elakiyattam’.
The Dhanarasi: - This is the last part of the performance. In this part a character dances in praise of god.
The Stage:
Unlike the dramas and many dance forms, Kathakali does not require a big, sophisticated stage. It can be staged on a stage erected temporarily. Earlier, it was a single traditional lamp that can light up the face of the actor of average height that provided the light required on the stage. But now modern lightings are used the stage. The ‘Thirassila’ (curtain) is a rectangular piece of cloth held by two people just before the beginning of the drama and between the scenes
The Charitable,Art & Cultural Organisation "ASHIS" organises International Level Cultural Programme "ASHIS GLOBAL FESTIVAL 2010" at Civic Centre(A/C Auditorium),Rourkela,Odisha,INDIA from 4th to 7th November in every year. For more Details please Visit our websitewww.ashis.org.in (Now Under Maintenance) and e-mail at : ashisglobalfestival@gmail.com , ashisglobalfestival@rediffmail.com
ReplyDeleteThe last step is actually called dhanasi not dhanarasi
ReplyDelete