What is Kathakali?
Kathakali is a form of Indian dance-drama that is originally from Kerala in South India and began in the 17th Century. It is a unique form of theatre and has its own music, costume, acting, dancing and themes. Most Kathakali performances are re-enactments of Hindu epics. Right is a picture from a typical Kathakali performance. [http://www.personal.psu.edu/ach13/sia/Images/Kathakali%20Lear%2099%20London%20Globe%20001.jpg]
Kathakali lacks speech and dialogue. The actors must express themselves through hand gestures, facial gestures and bodily movements and dancing. Music is constantly being played, mostly percussion. Different characters use different instruments to symbolise different things.
In Kathakali make-up different colours signify different characteristics. For example, green signifies a noble male. Red on the face signifies evil and completely red signifies the devil, or somebody of pure evil. Yellow portrays women and beauty.
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