Kathakali combines movement, drama, gesture, characters, sign language, facial expressions and rituals to tell stories from the ancient Hindu epics.

India is home to one of the earliest civilisations that developed complex methods of expressing creativity and spirituality through the arts.

The Kathakali workshops will explore the skills of a Kathakali actor that have been passed on through the generations for over 500 years.

Workshop led by Kathakali specialist Kalamandalam Vijayakumar

THE KATHAKALI WORKSHOP WILL INCLUDE:

  • Understanding the how Hinduism is expressed through the performing arts.
  • Appreciating the importance of sacred rituals used in Kathakali.
  • Experience the 2,000 year old martial arts of Kerala called KalariPayattu.
  • Learning a 4,000 year old sign language called Mudras
  • Value how the people in Kerala preserved their sacred stories on palm leaves and then tell them through gestures, characters and body language.

KEY POINTS:

  • KATHA means story and KALI means play, therefore, Kathakali is a DRAMA that uses movement to tell a story.
  • A Kathakali artist is called an ACTOR and a performance a PLAY. Kathakali is performed traditionally by men.
  • Kathakali is an act of DEVOTION based on the HINDU religion
  • Kathakali is specific to the state of KERALA, South West India
  • Kathakali is performed by a GROUP of actors, singers, musicians and make-up artists to present stories from the Hindu epics.
  • The actor portrays characters from the Hindu epic stories – Mahabharatha and the Ramayana, to illustrate that GOOD PREVAILS OVER EVIL.
  • In Kerala a Kathakali performance is traditionally performed in temples from DUSK to DAWN and attended by the whole village after months of preparation.
  • The costumes and make up used in Kathakali is stunning. The costumes take months of work by skilled crafts people to make. The three-dimensional make up [made from rice paste and paper] is unique to Kathakali and takes hours to apply by a specifically trained person called a CHUTTI ARTIST.
  • The actor shows respect to the stage before starting the performance.
  • The stage is considered to be sacred and a place where the Gods and Goddesses tell their stories.

PLEASE NOTE THE WORKSHOP IS NOT IN COSTUME AND THE PRESENTATION IS

A SOLO PERFORMANCE FEATURING THE FEMALE CHARACTER.

BACKGROUND OF KATHAKALI

KATHAKALIWORKSHOPS

Kathakali – is the male classical dance drama of Kerala, south India.

Kathakali originated in the Hindu temples in the 17th century to bring the Hindu epic stories to the local people through storytelling.

This project aims to explore how a Kathakali actor tells a story and appreciate how culture travels when people migrate and take their skills and traditions

with them.

Rural Kerala

Kathakali was brought to the UK by internationally renowned Kathakali actor, Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Kathakali Chutti [make-up] specialist, Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar in 1987.

Together they have brought Kathakali to thousands of people throughout the country.

LEARNING POINTS

  • To appreciate that Kathakali is very old and originated in a temple.
  • Show respect to friends, family, teachers and each other.
  • Develop skills in concentration and observation of silence.
  • Learn how the arts are very important in understanding people from different cultural backgrounds.
  • The skill and training required to become a Kathakali actor

WORKSHOP LEADERS:

KALAMANDALAM VIJAYAKUMAR - KATHAKALI.

An internationally renowned actor from Kerala, south India, will lead the workshop.

KALAMANDALAM VIJAYAKUMAR – is an outstanding Kathakali actor and Co-Director of the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company. He is a highly experienced performer and an eminent teacher.

Kalamandalam Vijayakumar has toured internationally since 1982 and is the principal Kathakali expert in the UK. Since 1987 he has taken Kathakali to thousands of people, living in cities, towns and rural areas.

KALAMANDALAM BARBARA VIJAYAKUMAR - KATHAKALI.

KALAMANDALAM BARBARA VIJAYAKUMAR is a visual artist, trained at Rochdale College of Art, Winchester School of Art and the Kerala Kalamandalam, India. Is a highly experienced Kathakali make up specialist, and Co-Director of the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company.

Barbara plans and structures the activities using an imaginative and creative approach to learning about Kathakali and its culture.

Both artists work as a team to establish a greater understanding of Kathakali, and the ancient culture from which it evolved 500 years ago.