KATHAKALI WORKSHOP AND SOLO PERFORMANCE

Kathakali actor: Kalamandalam Vijayakumar

Kathakali – is a classical dance drama, based on Hinduism, originated in the 17th century temples of Kerala, South India and uses ritual, elaborate make up, costumes, dance, drama and music to tell stories.

Kathakali was originally supported by Kings, however, in the early 20th century the artists were suffering from extreme poverty and Kathakali was almost extinct.

Because of the dedication of remarkable people Kathakali survived to become one of the most celebrated forms classical Asian theatre in the world.

In 1987 Kathakali arrived in Southampton from Kerala making the city the principal centre of Kathakali outside of Kerala.

Padmasree Kalamandalam Gopi Ashan and Kalamandalam Vijayakumar

Story telling has been used throughout the world for centuries to transport the audience into the world of the imagination. Kathakali is far more than a play and was originally used to expose injustice, remove fear and encourage communities to live a better life. These ancient stories are resurrected onto the dramatic stage where the magic of theatre takes place.

When you see a majestic Kathakali performance it is easy to forget the enormous journey this exceptional tradition made to emerge as a major influence on world culture.  This is project aims to honor the unforgettable people who made the transformation from extreme poverty and oppression to a celebration of the human spirit.

All workshops are interactive and specially designed.

Kathakali retains an extraordinary heritage that has travelled around the world making an incredible journey through history. The desire to dance, play music, tell stories and make costumes has existed since people became aware of their creativity. This temple tradition illustrates the importance that people play in the preservation of our culture and ultimately our identity.

WORKSHOPS and PERFORMANCESThrough specially designed workshops and performances, led by experienced and professional artists, all ages can learn about Kathakali and South India.

LEARNING POINTS

The cultural background to Kathakali and the meaning behind the stories.

How does a Kathakali actor tell a story using 4,000 year old gestures and characters?

How did Kathakali arrive in this country?

The importance of preserving and sharing our traditions.

Gain a deeper understanding of the Hinduism through dance and drama.

Develop skills in appreciating silence and develop concentration.

Learn how the arts are very important in understanding people from different cultural backgrounds.

WORKSHOPS

Kathakali combines movement, drama, gesture, characters, sign language, facial expressions and rituals to tell stories from the ancient Hindu epics.

India is home to one of the earliest civilisations that developed complex methods of expressing creativity and spirituality through the arts. The Kathakali workshops will explore the skills of a Kathakali actor that have been passed on through the generations for over 500 years.

Workshop led by Kathakali specialist Kalamandalam Vijayakumar

TEMPLE CULTURE

Temple festival, Kerala, 2008

Kathakali remains part of the temple culture of Kerala and is normally performed as part of a sacred festival that includes a procession of elephants.

Kerala festival, Cheruthuruthy, Kerala 1976.

Kerala holds a priceless cultural legacy that include processions of elephants, enormous festivals, rituals, dances, dramas, music, language, a multi-cultural society, a landscape abundant with coconut trees, rivers, mountains, coastline and food prepared with spices that were the envy of the world.

KATHAKALIKEY POINTS:

KATHA means story and KALI means play, therefore, Kathakali is a DRAMA that uses movement to tell a story performed traditionally by men.

A Kathakali artist is called an ACTOR and a performance a PLAY.

Kathakali is an act of DEVOTION based on the HINDU religion

Kathakali is specific to the state of KERALA, South West India

Kathakali is performed by a GROUP of actors, singers, musicians and make-up artists to present stories from the Hindu epics.

The actor portrays characters from the Hindu epic stories – Mahabharatha and the Ramayana, to illustrate that GOOD PREVAILS OVER EVIL.

In Kerala a Kathakali performance is traditionally performed in temples throughout the night attended by the whole village.

The costumes and make up used in Kathakali are stunning. The costumes take months to make. The three-dimensional make up [made from rice paste and paper] is unique to Kathakali is applied by a CHUTTI ARTIST.

The stage is considered to be sacred and a place.

Rural Kerala

POOTHANA MOKSHAMby Aswati |Tirunal Tampuran [1756 – 1794]

THE KATHAKALI STORY TO BE PERFORMED

This story was written especially for Kathakali over 300 years ago and has been performed in the village temples of Kerala for centuries.

The demoness Poothana disguised as a beautiful lady has been ordered by the evil King Kamsan to kill the baby Lord Krishna. The performance begins as Poothana reaches the village of Ambadi where the divine child is living with his foster parents.

The beauty of the village stuns her and she comments that even a special snake God with a thousand heads could not speak of its beauty enough! She describes the ladies dancing in the village and the beautiful peacocks cleaning their wings and flying.

She remembers the reason she has come to the village and asks, “Where is the child”? Eventually she arrives unknowingly at the home of the baby Lord Krishna and is captivated by his beauty. She cares for him, does not want to kill him, tries to leave but realises that is she fails the evil king will kill her.

The evil and anger in her return, she curses the king for ordering her to do this terrible act, then after locking all the doors she poisons her milk and attempts to kill the baby. Lord Krishna drinks Poothans` milk until there is no more life left in her. Before her death she sees an image of Lord Vishnu in the sky showing that she has finally found salvation through the divine Lord Krishna.

Poothan`s pain was a reflection of her sad life and how evil manipulated and destroyed her. This sacred story illustrates the importance of the courage required to reject outside pressure to harm others.

KATHAKALI SPECIALISTS

KALAMANDALAM VIJAYAKUMAR - KATHAKALI.

An internationally renowned actor from Kerala, south India, will lead the workshop.

KALAMANDALAM VIJAYAKUMAR – is an outstanding Kathakali actor and Co-Director of the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company. He is a highly experienced performer and an eminent teacher.

Kalamandalam Vijayakumar has toured internationally since 1982 and is the principal Kathakali expert in the UK. Since 1987 he has taken Kathakali to thousands of people, living in cities, towns and rural areas.

KALAMANDALAM BARBARA VIJAYAKUMAR - KATHAKALI.

KALAMANDALAM BARBARA VIJAYAKUMAR is a visual artist, trained at Rochdale College of Art, Winchester School of Art and the Kerala Kalamandalam, India. Is a highly experienced Kathakali make up specialist, and Co-Director of the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company.

Barbara plans and structures the activities using an imaginative and creative approach to learning about Kathakali and its culture.

Both artists work as a team to establish a greater understanding of Kathakali, and the ancient culture from which it evolved 500 years ago.

Contact Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar1, Holland RoadWoolstonSouthamptonSO19 9FWTel: 02380 420114 / 07740123070E: barbaravijayakumar@yahoo.co.ukwww.kathakali.net