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Home / IAS Preparation / Kathakali Dance UPSC

Kathakali UPSC Notes: History, Features, & Exponents of Kathakali

Last Updated on May 24, 2024
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‘Kathakali’ is an Indian classical dance form of the south Indian state of Kerala. Kathakali communicates the story through excellent footwork and impressive gestures of face and hands that are complemented by music and vocal performance. It can be differentiated from the other forms through the vivid make-up, unique face masks, and costumes worn by dancers. The style and movements reflect the martial arts that were prevalent in Kerala. In contrast to other Indian classical dances which developed in Hindu temples and monastic schools, this developed in courts and theaters. This dance form of Kerala is believed to have originated from the temple and folk arts that can be traced back to the 1st millennium CE.

Kathakali UPSC is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the Art & Culture subject in the General Studies Paper-1 syllabus. 

In this article on Kathakali UPSC, let us look at the history, salient features, costumes, instruments, and exponents of Kathakali for the UPSC IAS Exam.

About Kathakali Dance

Kathakali is a traditional Indian dance-drama originating from Kerala. It is known for its vivid makeup, elaborate costumes, and expressive gestures and movements. This classical dance form combines dance, music, acting, and dramatization through detailed gestures, to tell stories from Indian epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Kathakali is performed by male actors, who portray both male and female roles. It is distinguished by its colorful makeup, detailed costumes, and vigorous movements. The performance is accompanied by a combination of vocal music and percussion instruments such as the chenda and maddalam.

Study in detail about Indian Classical Dance here!

History of Kathakali

  • The features of this dance form can be traced back to ‘Natya Shastra’ an ancient Hindu text written by Bharata Muni.
  • The name Kathakali was derived by joining ‘Katha’ (traditional story in Sanskrit) and ‘Kali’ (derived from ‘Kala’ meaning art and performance).
  • The dance-drama art form ‘Krishnanattam’ illustrating legends from the life of Lord Krishna is a precursor of ‘Kathakali’. ‘Krishnanattam’ developed under the Zamorin ruler of Calicut.
  • Kottarakkara Thampuran, the Raja of Kottarakkara created a new form of temple art based on ‘Krishnanattam’ and called it ‘Ramanattam’. It is widely considered that ‘Ramanattam’ was the genesis of ‘Kathakali’.
  • A few scholars mention that many elements of ‘Kathakali’ are similar to ‘Kutiyattam’, a form of Sanskrit drama performed in Kerala.
  • ‘Kathakali’ has evolved from folk art and ancient dance forms of Kerala like ‘Porattunatakam’, ‘Padayani’, ‘Teyyam’ and ‘Mudiyettu’. Reflections of ‘Kalaripayattu’, an ancient martial art form that originated in Kerala can also be seen from the dancers movements.
  • The present-day ‘Kathakali’ includes women in the troupe, unlike the traditional one which was an all-men ensemble.

Read the article on the Difference between classical dance and folk dance\!

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Salient Features of Kathakali
  • Kathakali is a classical art form that has evolved from many socio-religious theatrical forms that existed in the ancient times.
  • Chakyar Koothu, Koodiyattam, Krishnattam and Ramanattam art forms of Kerala and the martial arts that were prevalent in ancient Kerala exert a direct influence on Kathakali’s technique.
  • The dance form can be seen in the temple sculptures of Kerala and the murals of the Mattancherry temple that belong to the 16th century.
  • The plays are a blend of dance, music and acting with themes based on tra’, a text on the performing arts written by Bharata Muni. Indian epics like the Mahabharata, Bhagavata Purana and Ramayana.
  • The art form consists of angika, acharya, vichika and satvika, the four aspects of abhinaya along with Nritya and Natya aspects.
  • The dance gestures align with verses known as ‘padams’ that are sung vocally.
  • Kathakali draws its descriptive origin from Balarama Bharatam and Hastalakshana Deepika.
  • Kathakali’s literature is written in a language called Manipravalam, a mixture of Sanskrit and Malayalam.
  • When the religious themes for Kathakali were found to lose ground, secular themes were adopted for the plot.
  • Stories like Kalyana Sougandhikam, Duryodhana Vadham, Nalacharitham from Mahabharata are used as plots for the performances.
  • Nalacharitham is a popular Attakatha in Kathakali literature written by Unnayi Varrier.
  • It deals with the love story of Nala and Damayanthi narrating the highs and lows of their life, with a focus on the challenges posed by Kali, who also loved Damayanthi and wished to possess her by killing Nala.

Check out this article on Warli Art.

Costumes of Kathakali​

  • Kathakali incorporates the most intricate form of make-up, costume, face masks and brightly painted faces.
  • Kathakali encompasses seven fundamental costume codes. The code followed typifies the characters of the acts as gods, goddesses, saints, animals, demons, and demonesses, etc.
    • ‘Pacca’ , ‘Minukku’, ‘Teppu’, ‘Kari’ (black), ‘Tati’, ‘Payuppu’ (ripe) and ‘Katti’ (knife).
    • ‘Pacca’(green)- This character with bright coral red coloured lips depicts gods, sages and noble characters.
    • ‘Minukku’(orange, saffron or yellow)- This depicts virtuous and good female characters. For women and monks, the color code is yellow.
    • Vella Thadi(white beard)- Represents a divine or virtuous character.
    • ‘Teppu’- Represents special characters like Jatayu and Garuda.
    • ‘Kari’ (black)- Code for hunters, forest inhabitants and demonesses.
    • ‘Tati’ (red)- Represent evil characters like Ravana.
  • This classification reflects the three Gunas.
    • Sattva (goodness, harmonious)
    • Rajas (passion, dynamic)
    • Tamas (darkness, destructive)
  •  Face masks and headgears help emphasize the make-up prepared from colours extracted from vegetables and rice paste.

Check out this article on Gandhara and Mathura school of art.

Music and Instruments of Kerala Dance Kathakali
  • Kathakali performance includes different instruments encompassing three drums namely ‘Itaykka’, ‘Centa’ and ‘Maddalam’.
  • Music plays a major role in this art form creating tone variations corresponding to the mood of a particular scene.
  • The music follows the Sopana Sangeetham tradition. Sopana Sangeetham is the singing of the Ashtapadis on the flight of steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum.
  •  Carnatic ragas are used in Kathakali music.
  • ‘Cempata’ is used in sequences like combat between good and evil and while concluding a scene.
  • ‘Atanta’ is used in scenes consisting of divine and virtuous characters.
  • ‘Muri Atanta’ is used in heroic, comic and light-hearted acts.
  • ‘Triputa’ is used in scenes involving teachers and sages.
  • ‘Pancari’ is used in repugnant scenes
  • ‘Campa’ in scenes portraying clash, argument and tension between lovers.

Read the article on Sattriya Dance form!

Famous Exponents of Kathakali Dance
  • Kavungal Chathunni Panicker is a veteran performer in this field with his family associated for six generations.
  • Kalamandalam Gopi, has a career spanning over 30 years in Kathakali.
  • Kottakkal Sivaraman portraying feminine characters emoting different nayika bhavas is a famed actor.
  • Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair is a seasoned Kathakali performer who earned fame for portraying negative roles.

Check out the test series for UPSC IAS Exam.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants

  • Kathakali Dance emerged in 17th century Kerala. It was initially performed in temple precincts and later gained popularity in royal courts.
  • Combines dance, drama, music, and storytelling to depict narratives from epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana.
  • Dancers wear distinctive headgear, colorful facial masks, and elaborate costumes reflecting the characters they portray.
  • Mudras (hand gestures) and intricate footwork narrate the story and convey emotions.
  • Accompanied by Carnatic music with vocal performances and instrumental ensembles like the chenda (drum) and maddalam (cylindrical drum).
  • Traditionally performed by men, but recently witnessing inclusion of women performers.
  • Included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2008.

We hope all your doubts regarding the dance form of Kerala, Kathakali would have been addressed after going through the article. Testbook provides study material for different competitive examinations. Master your UPSC preparation with the Testbook App!

More Articles for IAS Preparation

Kathakali UPSC FAQs

The five elements of Kathakali are: Nritta (pure dance) Nritya (expressive dance) Natya (dramatic aspect) Geetha (vocal music) Vadyam (instrumental music)

The founder of Kathakali is believed to be Maharaja Kottarakkara Thampuran.

Pacha (heroes, noble characters) Kathi (villains) Kari (demonic characters) Thaadi (red bearded characters, representing evil) Minukku (women and ascetics)

The father of Kathakali is Maharaja Kottarakkara Thampuran, who is credited with developing and popularizing this dance form.

The birthplace of Kathakali is Kerala, a state in the southern part of India.

The first guru of Kathakali is traditionally considered to be Maharaja Kottarakkara Thampuran, who played a significant role in the creation and evolution of this dance form.
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