South India (Kerala), 17th century
KATHAKALI
The danced theatre of Kerala
Kathakali is a spectacular form of danced theatre originating in Kerala, in southwest India. Born in the 17th century under the influence of temples and royal courts, it combines dance, music, chant, makeup, and dramatic expression to narrate episodes from the great Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The name literally means "the art of storytelling" (katha) and "performance" (kali).
Unlike Bharata Natyam, which is more geometric and inward, Kathakali is outward, powerful, and highly theatrical. Performers wear sumptuous costumes, impressive headdresses, and elaborate facial makeup (chutti), which transforms the face into a mask. Makeup colors indicate character: green for noble heroes, red for villains, black for demons, yellow for ascetics.
Kathakali technique relies on intense work with facial expression, mudras (hand gestures), and the body. The dancers do not speak: they narrate entirely through their eyes, eyebrows, cheeks, hands, and movements. Training is long and rigorous, including martial arts exercises from Kerala (Kalaripayattu) to develop strength, flexibility, and control.
How it's danced
Technique & figures
Kathakali is a collective performance in which dancers mime, dance, and express the epic narratives, while singers narrate the story and musicians play. The lead dancer uses mudras, extremely precise facial expressions, and stylized body positions to embody a character. The body is often bent forward, legs spread, arms held in geometric lines.
Styles and fundamentals
Fundamental technique includes total control of the face (eyebrows, eyelids, cheeks, jaw), the language of mudras (hasta), wide, low leg positions, and sweeping arm movements. Dancers train daily in Kalaripayattu exercises to gain the strength, flexibility, and concentration required. The gaze is central: it guides the audience through emotion and action.
Main figures
- 01
Mudras
A codified vocabulary of hand gestures expressing words, ideas, and emotions. Kathakali uses a specific system of 24 basic mudras.
- 02
Navarasas (facial expressions)
The nine fundamental emotions (love, anger, compassion, courage, disgust, fear, joy, wonder, peace) expressed through the eyes, eyebrows, and facial muscles.
- 03
Kalari movements
Exercises derived from Kerala's martial arts (Kalaripayattu) to develop the dancer's balance, flexibility, and strength for combat positions.
- 04
Basic steps
Sliding steps and low positions where the dancer advances sideways or diagonally with wide arm amplitude and a character's posture.
- 05
Arm positions
Precise, stylized arm lines, often at shoulder height, framing the character and accentuating the mudras.
- 06
Turns and jumps
Acrobatic movements and rotations punctuating moments of combat or ecstasy in the narrative. Requires great physical mastery.
Reading the music
Kathakali is accompanied by singers (ponnani) who narrate the story and musicians playing the chenda (powerful drum), the maddalam (double-headed drum), the chengila (bell), and the ilathalam (cymbals). The rhythm marks the character's actions and emotions.
Did you know?
Explore the rhythms
Same family
Traditions Asiatiques & Orientales
Cross connections
Styles from other families that share a common language with Kathakali.