The internationally famous Kathakali, which combines features of
ballet, opera, mime, masque and pantomime, is the best-known art form
of Kerala. This form of dance-drama traditionally presented in temple
precincts from dusk to dawn during festivals, demands ten to twelve
years of training and regular practice. The theme or Aattakatha (literally
dance-story) of the piece shown here is based on an incident from
the Mahabharata, the slaying of the demon Keechaka by Bhima when he
tried to molest Shairandhri or Panchali. Here the male character is
portraying a Kathi vesham. Vesham means make up. In Kathakali, the
vesham, which is of five types, represents five kinds of characters.
The Kathi vesham (Kathi means knife) is to represent villainous male
characters. The other four veshams are Pacha (green) for noble characters,
Thadi (beard) and Kari (black) for lower classes, and Minukku (which
means prettying up) for women, sages, Brahmins and so on.
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