Traditional dance
India
By the light of coconut oil, traditional dancers act out the relgious sagas of southern India.
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By the light of coconut oil, traditional dancers act out the relgious sagas of southern India.
Share your story
Govind Seshadri writes:
This is actually a dance form called Kathakali, which originated in Kerala about 500 years ago. Kathakali dancers are always male.
Richard Tremblay writes:
This is a Kathakali 'Kari Vesham' or Black Impersonation. We see a witch or ogress for the Kathakali characters like Nakrathundy, sister of 'asura' or demon Narakasura, in Indian mythology.
The 'nilavillaku' or floor lamp, is burning through the all-night performance. The Kathakali dancer is accompanied by two drums, the Maddalam (left outside) and a vertical drum, the Chenda (left inside). Usually two singers stand upstage to perform the lyrics of the dance while the dancer interprets the narrative through hand gestures or 'Mudras'.
Rajesh Medackel writes:
In Kathakali, the importance is on facial expressions and hand gestures of the dancer. The drums are made of wood and animal skin .
This dance form needs years of practice to master.