Context: Classical dancer and choreographer Vasanthalakshmi Narasimhachari has been presented with ‘Nritya Kalanidhi’ award at the 17th Dance Festival of The Music Academy.  

• Ms. Narasimhachari is one of the foremost exponents of classical dance, and was associated with dance genres such as Kathakali and Odissi.

Kathakali Dance – The Classical Dance Drama of Kerala

• A Kathakali performance begins with the kelikottu, calling the audience to attention followed by the todayam. 
  • It is a devotional number performed where one or two characters invoke the blessings of the gods. 
• Key Aspects: It is a stylised art form with four aspects of abhinaya – angika, aharya,vachika, satvika
• Composition: It combines devotion, drama, dance, music, costumes and make up to retells the great stories from Hindu epics like ‘Bhagavata Purans’, ‘Mahabharata’ and ‘Ramayana’
• Expressions: The dancer expresses himself through codified hastamudras and facial expressions, closely following the verses(padams) that are sung. 
  • The weight of the body is on the outer edges of the feet which are slightly bent and curved.
• Use of Color: Make-up using color typifies the characters categorizing them as gods, goddesses, saints, animals, demons, and demonesses among others as per the tenets laid down in the Natya Shastra. 
• Characters: The characters in a Kathakali performance are broadly divided into satvika, rajasika and tamasika types. Various colors are used in the performance:
  • Green represents royalty, divinity, and virtue.
  • Red patches beside noses represent royalty.
  • Black used for evil and wickedness.
  • Yellow shows saints and women.
  • Complete red-painted face indicates evil.
  • White beard represents being with higher consciousness and divinity.
• Stage: A large oil-fed lamp is placed in front of the stage and two people hold a curtain called Tirasseela on the stage, the main dancers stand behind it before the performance.
• Instruments: Drums like the maddalam and chenda; the chengila (a bell metal gong) and ilathalam or cymbals.
• Music: Kathakali music follows the traditional sopana sangeet of Kerala. Kathakali music also uses Carnatic ragas. 
• Famous Proponents: Kavungal Chathunni Panicker, Kalamandalam Gopi. 

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News Source: The Hindu

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