Snippets of Information - Dance
Kathakali
* 23 Jul 2025
In Malayalam, "Katha" means story, and "Kali" means play, so the term
interprets as a play or storytelling art. However, Kathakali is much
more than mere storytelling.
* 23 Jul 2025
Kathakali is believed to have evolved in Kerala in the 17th century. Its precursor, Ramanattam,
was created by the King of Kottarakkara, a region in South Kerala, to
present the Ramayana (Hindu epic stories) as stylised drama
pattern. Legend has it that the refusal of the Zamorin of Calicut
to send his Krishnattam troupe to Travancore, so enraged the Raja of
Kottarakkara, that he was inspired to compose the Ramanattam.
Sources: keralatourism.org, ccrtindia.gov.in
* 23 Jul 2025
The King of Kottarakara made significant changes to Kathakali by introducing Malayalam into the Sanskrit singing and presenting the plays in the temple forecourt so that the local people could experience them.
Source: kathakali.net
* 23 Jul 2025
The further development of Kathakali is linked to the royal family of
Kottayam / Vettathunadu, a region in old Malabar near present-day
Kannur. The King of Kottayam, Kottayathu Thampuran, composed four major
works for Kathakali: Kirmeeravadham, Bakavadham, Nivathakavacha
Kalakeyavadham, and Kalyanasougandhikam. These works, based on stories
from the Mahabharata known as 'Kottayam Kathakali' on which Kathakali
finds its foundation in choreography, text and performance system.
Source: keralatourism.org
- In the 18th century, Kathakali was further refined by Kaplingadu
Narayanan Namboothiri, an aesthete who contributed significantly to its
development, which style is later renowned as Kaplingadan style of
Kathakali.
- A pivotal figure in the 20th century- Pattikamthodi Ravunni
Menon, played a crucial role in codifying Kathakali's scattered systems.
- Olappamanna Mana (a Namboothiri - Kerala Brahmin family) in the
Village Vellinezhi played a major role in promoting Kathakali training.
- The style that follows a codified system in presenting both dance and
dramatic aspects of kathakali that was designed by Pattikkamthodi
Ravunni Menon and later flourished through his disciples is known as
'Kalluvazhi chitta (style)' of Kathakali.
- The continuous evolution of Kathakali found a complete shelter and
refinement with the Kerala Kalamandalam - a prestigious institution for
art and culture.
Source: keralatourism.org
* 5 June 2025
Appunni Tharakan (1928-2025) fondly called
“Appunniyettan” by the Kathakali fraternity, was the chief costumer of
the Kerala Kalamandalam Kathakali Troupe for some years, . During that
time, he was very active in preparing new costumes and make-up materials
for the artists. After he retired from Kalamandalam, Tharakan slowly
moved to concentrate on his own costume-renting organisation named
"Manjuthara" at his home near Vellinezhi, dedicating over seven decades
to the craft.
Initiated into the world of Kathakali greenrooms at the age of 14 by his
brother-in-law, Pambath Sankaran, Tharakan began his journey as a
costume assistant with the Olappamanna Mana Kathakali Yogam. His first
assignment at the Vazhenkada Narasimhamoorthi Temple involved carrying
heavy costume boxes on foot due to the lack of transportation.
The span of Appunni Tharakan’s service in the Kathakali greenroom
extended from Guru Kunju Kurup to young artists aged twenty-five now.
His mastery over the craft of ‘Uduthukettal’ (the bottom area costume
arrangement) was renowned due to his dedication and commitment. The span
of Appunni Tharakan’s service in the Kathakali greenroom extended from
Guru Kunju Kurup to young artists aged twenty-five now. His mastery over
the craft of ‘Uduthukettal’ (the bottom area costume arrangement) was
renowned due to his dedication and commitment.
His biography, Aniyara Shilpi, Nambyarathu Appunitharakan, by author
Vini Devayani, was launched last year at Kerala Kalamandalam.
Source: Appunni Tharakan (1928-2025): The Soul of Kathakali Costumes by Vinu Vasudevan, indiaartreview.com, Jan 24, 2025
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