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Equally important as Bharata Natym is
Kathakali of
Kerala. This is a form of dance-drama, a performance of
which, when presented in traditional manner, lasts all
night.
The stories of Kathakali are taken mostly from celebrated
epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. In Kathakali, the make-up
is very elaborate and intricate, and each character type
has a set mode, which is strictly observed.
green, red and yellow are dominant colors used to paint
the face, and often there are also beards made of rice
paste, or knobs prepared in the same way, stuck to the
nose or forehead.
Dance is rugged and expansive, music shrill and piercing,
emotional representation rambling and exaggerated.
Costumes, head dresses and ornaments are gorgeous and,
together with make-up, they impart to Kathakali a rather
weird and fantastic aspects.
Some of the best performers of Kathakali today are:
Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair
Kunchu Nair
Ramankutty Nair
guru Gopinath
Chatunni Paniker
The leading centers for training in Kathakali are Kerala
Kamandalam, P S V Natya Sangam, Unnayi Warrier Kalanilayam
and Viswa Kala Kendra, all of which are in Kerala.
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