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Kathakali dancer in traditional costume performing a vibrant Indian classical dance drama
Kathakali performance in vibrant costumes and makeup, enacting a dramatic scene on stage

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Kathakali performance

Kathakali performance is traditionally designed for a whole night performance

  • The arangu keli, a period of invocatory drumming, played by the maddalam player, standing in front of the lamp
  • The todayam, which essentially is a rite performed to propitiate the gods, but is loosely translated as ‘beginning’.
  • The purappadu, meaning ‘going forth’, an introduction in pure dance which in its original form was intended to introduce the main character of the play being performed
  • The melappadam, a display of drumming by the two drummers accompanied by the gong and cymbals which lasts for over half an hour and enables the drummers and the singers to demonstrate their skills
Kathakali performance in vibrant costumes and makeup, enacting a dramatic scene on stage

After completing the above said 4 discipline of stage performance the performance of story begins which goes up to next day morning. Traditionally the stories, themes and characters are all from Hindu legends like Ramayana, Mahabharath and Bhagavath purana.

Kathakali dancer in traditional costume performing a vibrant Indian classical dance drama
Kathakali character with elaborate makeup and costume

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