Kathakali Festival 2025 | Puthiyakavu Devi Temple Kollam

Originated in Kerala, Kathakali is essentially a musical dance drama. The tradition of Kathakali dates back to the 17th century. Kathakali was created from Ramanattam and Krishnanattam.

കഥകളി ഉത്സവം കൊല്ലം ആശ്രമം ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണ സ്വാമി ക്ഷേത്രം | Kathakali Festival 2025 | Puthiyakavu Devi Temple Kollam

The origin of Kathakali is attributed to the Zamorin of Calicut in the 17th Century. He was a devotee of Lord Krishna who wrote plays known as Krishnanatam. It is believed that Zamorin refused to send his troupe to Travancore. This resulted in Raja of Kottarakkara's writing the Ramanattam, a series of eight plays about Rama. The word attam means enactment. Thus Ramanattam and Krishnanattam gave birth to Kathakali. Kathakali had flourished long in Kerala under Royal Patronage. It was given its present form by Mahakavi Vallathol Narayana Menon.
Kathakali Festival Puthiyakavu Devi Temple Kollam Kerala The literal meaning Kathakali means "story-play". Kathakali is best known for its elaborate costumes, glaring makeup,detailed gestures and well defined body. The actors rely very heavily on hand gesture to convey the story. These hand gestures, known as mudra, are common throughout much of classical Indian dance. The makeup and costumes form an essential part of the art. The themes of Kathakali are usually religious in nature and the text is a mixture of Sanskrit and Malayalam. The dancers perform and act out scenes from epics like Mahabharatha, Ramayana and also the ancient Indian scriptures. Kathakali is usually performed only by men. Female characters are portrayed by men dressed in women's costume. Recently woman has started to become Kathakali dancers.