Kathakali Dance-Theatre: A Visual Narrative of Indian Sacred Mime - Hardcover

Gopalakrishnan, K.K.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 9385285017 ISBN 13: 9789385285011

Publisher: Niyogi Books, 2016

Synopsis

Kathakali Dance-Theatre records the art of Kathakali comprehensively, right from the scenario that paved the way for Kathakali's origin and development to its present history. The book chronicles its various facets - the acting, music and costumes, crucial contributions of the masters, momentous incidences, evolution of styles, riveting anecdotes, and related socio-political issues affecting Kerala. The firsthand personal rendition of the author's experience and the detailed glossary make it immensely readable. Full of photographs depicting the masters of the art, green room activities and the vibrant theatre of Kathakali, this book will be a treasure trove of information for uninitiated readers, arts scholars, theater buffs, potential researchers and students keen about the art and its future.

Contents: Foreword; Preface; Charts: Evolution and Transformation of the Art Part I: Introduction: The Land and its Vivid Culture; Part II: A Personal Journey of Discovery, Chapter 1: Poor Man's Rich Legacy; Part III: Perspectives on the Origins and Development of Kathakali, Chapter 2: Traditions in the Arts of Kerala before the Emergence of Kathakali; Chapter 3: Krishnanattam and the Metamorphosis of Ramanattam into Kathakali; Chapter 4: Emergence of Kathakali; Chapter 5: Evolution of Styles in Kathakali: Two Distinctive Traditions; Chapter 6: Three Regional Patrons of the Kaplingatan School as the Southern Style; Chapter 7: Two Legendary Masters; Kathakali and the Natyashastra; Chapter 8: Kathakali's Development and Changing Patronage: Kerala Kalamandalam; Part IV: The Artistic Form of Kathakali, Chapter 9: Abhinaya in Kathakali; Chapter 10: Physical Acting, the Aangika Abhinaya; Chapter 11: Kathakali Sangeetam, the Vaachika Abhinaya; Chapter 12: Costuming, the Aahaarya Abhinaya; Chapter 13: Subtle Acting, the Saatwika Abhinaya; Chapter 14: Percussion and its Role in Abhinaya; Chapter 15: Performance, Theatrical Language, Dramatisation and Variations in Interpolative Acting; Part V: Present Trends and Future Possibilities, Chapter 16: Kathakali: Post-Independence and Present Prospects; Appendices: Women in Kathakali; Kaliyogams.

About this title

About the Author:

K.K. Gopalakrishnan, a well-known writer-photographer and a connoisseur specializing in Kerala performing arts traditions, started writing for a host of periodicals like The Indian Express and The Mathrubhumi Weekly (Malayalam) at a very young age. In the past twenty-five years he has been writing mostly for The Hindu newspaper's supplements. He is the honorary Editorial Associate of Hyderabad-based Nartanam Quarterly, the only English dance journal in India having global readership. Choosing to resign from his post as officer at State Bank of India to focus on art studies, since December 2010 he has been serving as the Director of the Centre for Kutiyattam, Thiruvananthapuram, of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Delhi, the national academy of music, dance and drama under the Govt of India, Ministry of Culture. He is also the Governing Body member of the South Zone Cultural Centre of the Ministry of Culture for the support of South Indian cultural traditions and a member of the General Councils of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi and Kerala Folklore Akademi (state academies for arts and culture).

About this edition

• Publisher: Niyogi Books
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 9385285017
• ISBN 13: 9789385285011
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 300