Kottakkal Shivaraman Treasure Of Modern Kathakali

Maya Tangeberg Grischin June 8, 2011  My first experience with Kathakali was in Stockholm in 1974. I was then a angry young theatre director and performer of physical theatre, rejecting the European psychologiical, “realist” theatre conditioned by Rotowski and Barba! …

Kathakali- A Fusion Art

Ethiravan Kathiravan June 5, 2011 There is no other theater form which imposes a world of illusion the way Kathakali does. Grandeur unparalleled, befittingly non-worldly, stylization ultimate, drama evocative and magically surrealistic, Kathakali is the wonder of theater. Often designated …

The story of King Oedipus

Mohanan Nambiarath September 3, 2011  ‘King Oedipus’ is a Katnakai adaption of the play by the same name, written  by Scphocles. Sophocies was a dramatist and play writer who lived in 4th  century B.C. in ancient Greece. He has written …

Tribute to a versatile Kathakali artist

Keleeravam news July 8, 2012 Padmashree Keezhpadam Kumaran Nair, an outstanding Kathakali actor and a highly respected master of the art form was a rare and distinct personality in the domain of Kathakali. Be it among his peer group or …

A master who was not paid his due

Prof.(Rtd.) C.P. Unnikrishnan July 28, 2012 The few lines I write are just few reflections and my personal feelings and thoughts about a great Kathakali vesham artist ie. Kumarnaasaan; and is just an exposition of my aesthetic sensibility of which …

Like a Rainbow on the Stage

Sreevalsan Thiyyadi August 13, 2012  The consistent recurrence of the tragedy has tormented the Brahmin beyond consolation. Every time his wife delivered, the child would be stillborn. This was the ninth time he was appearing with the dead infant at …

An Outlandish Ustad Amidst Pandits

Sreevalsan Thiyyadi January 4, 2013 In an art form that has basically banked on Hindu mythology for themes and aristocratic Brahmins for patronage, the rise of a Muslim musician in the second half of the 20th century naturally evoked curiosity …

Two-tracked Music Till Twilight Hour

Sreevalsan Thiyyadi August 30, 2013 At 85, Cherthala Thankappa Panickar is among the oldest of Kathakali vocalists and a rare exponent of both schools of the art form. His wrinkled face sports a naughty smile when Cherthala Thankappa Panickar narrates that …

The Taut and the Untaught

Sreevalsan Thiyyadi December 28, 2013  Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharody’s surely successful but possibly unintentional bid to bind certain techniques and aesthetics of Koodiyattam with Kathakali merits massive research For many who have been exposed to Koodiyattam and Kathakali in what little …