Thullal

Thullal

Thullal is a modification of the Koothu and is characterized by simplicity of presentation,wit and humour.It owes its origin to Kunjan Nambiar,one of the leading poets in Malayalam.This solo dance with no stage or any other form of arrangement required is marked by fast and rhythmic movements.The dancer himself sings the lead to the accompaniment of the maddalam and elathalam. 

Thullal is classified in to three-Ottanthullal,Seethankam thullal and parayan thullal-based on the meter and rhythm of the songs and the distinctions in costume and dance.As most other art forms of Kerala,thullal also has colorful costumes,with elaborate head-gears and paintings of the face.It is usually presented during temple festivals.

Kathakali

Kathakali

The quintessential form

Kathakali(literally,story play),the spectacular classical dance drama of Kerala based on the guidelines laid by Sage Bharatha's Natya Sastra,the ancient treatise on dance drama,is over 500 years old.This elaborate art form integrates dance,music,poetry and histrionics.And combines both the thandava(powerful energetic dance,as that of Shiva)and Lasya(gentle graceful dance,as that of Parvathi)elements.

The essence of Kathakali

Abhinaya(expression)is the heart of Kathakali,especially aharya abhinaya.Make-up is used not merely to enable spectacular to visualize the character's appearance but also to indicate the nature and personality of the charectror beign represented.Netrabhinaya (abhinaya through the eyes)is important in Kathakali and chundapoovu or Solanum pubesscuce is applied to the eyes to redden and draw attention to them.

Different hues,different personae

There is in Kathakali a recognized convention regarding Vesham which includes make-up and costume.Vesham is classified in to four,viz.,thecha vesham(painted make-up),thaadi vesham(beard make-up),kari vesham(black make-up)and minukku vesham(polished make up).Thecha is again subdivided in to pacha vesham(green),which represent morally excellent characters and kathi vesham(knife)representing evil characters.Thaadi too has its subdivisions-vella(white),chuvanna(red)and karutha(black)-each color standing for a certain type of character.Kari vesham represents she-demons and minukku represents gentleness and spiritual qualities.

Where emotions flow from the hands and face

Women generally do not act and the female characters are played by men.Actors do not speak or sing,but enact dialogic sections called padams through mudras(hand gestures)and facial expressions.There are 24 mudras in kathakali which express the nine rasas or emotions viz.,serenity,wonder,kindness,love,valor,fear,contempt,loathing and anger.

The backdrop

The stage for kathakali is bare,except for a lamp with drummers and singers standing on either side.Music is in the sopanam style which is the classical mode of singing in Kerala with two vocalists who sing to the accompaniment of a chengila(gong),elathalam(small symbals),chenda and maddalam(drums)The themes of this awe-inspiring art are taken from India's rich and colorful mythology.

 

 

 

 

 

Kerala Fact File

Kerala Fact File

Location : South western tip of India

Area : 38,863 sq.km

Population : 3,18,38,619

Capital : Thiruvananthapuram(Trivandrum)

Language : Malayalam,majority of people can speak or understand English.

Religion : Hinduism,Christianity,Islam

Time : GMT+5.30

Currency : Indian Rupee

Climate : Tropical

Summer : February-May(24Degree Celsius-32Degree Celsius)

Monsoon : June-September(22Degree Celsius-28Degree Celsius)

Winter : October-January(22Degree Celsius-32Degree Celsius)

God's Own Country:With the Arabian sea in the west,the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 m. in the east and networked by fourty four rivers,Kerala enjoys unique geographic features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia.An equable climate.A long shoreline with serene beaches.Tranquil stretches of emerald back waters.Lush hill stations and exotic wild life.Waterfalls,sprawling plantations and paddy fields.

Ayurvedic health holidays,enchanting art forms,Magical festivals,Historic and Cultural monuments,An exotic cuisine........All of which offer you a unique experience!

India's most advaced society:A hundred percent literate people.World-class health care systems.India's lowest infant mortality and highest life expectancy rates.The highest physical qality life in India.Peaseful and pristine,Kerala is also India's cleanest state.For administartive purpose  the state of Kerala is devided in to fourteen districts.Most of these districts offer all tourism products typical of the state.

Travel Trips:

Visas:I request you to carry your visa for entry to India/Kerala on your holiday.For clarifications please contact the Indian High Commission

Money:There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that visitors can bring.

Banks:Banks are open for transaction 10.00am to 3.30pm except on Sunday

Drugs:Heavy penalties including imprisonment for possession of narcotic drugs

Nudity:Nudity is not allowed anywhere in Kerala

Demonstrativeness in public:Hugging/kissing in public is not accepted in the state.

Ayurveda:Go only to the Ayurveda centers that are classified/approved by the department of tourism.

Hand looms and Handicrafts: There is a lot of hand loom weaving centers across Kerala,producing a wide range of fabrics and furnishings,coir products etc.Kerala's handicraft products has a huge demand in India and abroad.

Food:All standard restaurents offer a varity of cuisines including Continental,Chinese,Indian and typical Kerala fare.

Water:Tap water is purified and quite safe to drink.It is not advisable to drink water from slow moving streams,lakes or dams.Bottled water is also available.

Koodiyattom

Koodiyattom

Oldest art form Koodiyattom,(literally,dancing together) is the Sanskrit Theater of Kerala which is believed to have originated two millennia ago.The plays are in Sanskrit with the Chakyars performing male roles and the nangiars(Woman of the Nambiar community)performing the female roles.The vidushaka  or clown recites the malayalam translation for the benefit of the audience.Manipravalam,a mixture of Sanskrit and Malayalam langage owes its origin to Koodiyattom.

The performance

The performance of Koodiyattom was codified in ancient times through elaborate stage manuals called Attaprakarams and Kramadeepikas.The theatric action is based on these choreographic texts which contain all the logistic,organizational and theatric aspects of Koodiyattom.

ThePlays

 The plays in Koodiyattom have minimal text giving room for the actor to improvise and elaborate imaginatively.Single acts from Sankrit plays are chosen.The actor has the freedom to creatively interpret the role in a play.Theatre improvisation is effected through several methods including the use of orchestra to enhance historic action and the deliberate amplification of events and sequences through a technique called Pakarnnattam.

Conveying  a whole range of emotions

Abhinaya(expression)through angika(movements of the body),vahika(spoken word),aharya(make-up and costume)as well as satvika(creation and projection of moods and sentiments)are conspicuous in Koodiyattom.Make-p pattern costumes of Koodiyattom are believed to be the forerunners of Kathakali costume.