Kathakali Dance Performance January 20, 2008

Kathakali Performance of Sthri Vesham by PROBAL GUPTA

About the Performer:
PROBAL GUPTA
Probal Gupta is a devout student of Guru Govindan Kutty and FACT Padmanabhan. He has given many performances in India and has been given rave reviews for his Sthri Vesham presentations.
Guru Govindan Kutty, after studying in Kerala Kalamandalam, ventured out to teach in 'DARPANA', of Mrinalini Sarabai in Ahmedabad and gained a lot of experience in dance presentation and teaching techniques. He than moved to Calcutta and taught in Rabindra Bharati University there. He focused on teaching solo dancing in Kathakali and he worked specially with Abhinaya in Sthtri Vesham [Men playing the role of dramatic female characters]. FACT Padmanabhan, in Kerala, also specializes in the same field.


About the Performance:
Kathakali ("story play") is the classical dance drama of Kerala, which dates from the 17th century and is rooted in Hindu mythology. Kathakali has a unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance.
Kathakali draws heavily from drama and is danced with elaborate masks and costumes. Kathakali recitals are generally long and while other dance forms are more emotive than narrative, Kathakali is both. It combines dance with dialogue to bring myth and legend to life in the temple courtyards of Kerala. The dancers use their stunning costumes and make-up, with the accompaniment of drums and vocalists, to create various moods and emotions.
Kathakali is the classical dance-drama of Kerala, South India, which dates from the 17th century. Kathakali has a harmonious combination of literature (Sahithyam), music (Sangeetham), painting (Chithram), acting (Natyam) and dance (Nritham). All the five forms of art have a very important place in this combination. Its literature is narrative , poetic and dramatic. Costumes are of vivid colours, facial makeup is done by the artist himself and a distinct headgear made of wood is worn during the play. The Aharya (Make-up) has many faces like Pacha, Kathi, Thadi, Minukku etc.

Official Website: http://www.smritinandan.org