Ottamthullal

Ottamthullal is a performing art of Kerala. The great malayalam poet Kunjan Nambiar created Ottamthullal as an alternative of Chakyar koothu (performing art of Kerala) and is known as poor man's Kathakali.

Ottam thullal is replete with humour, sarcasm and social criticism. The actor establishes powerful communication with spectators through verbal acting which is interspersed with humour and social references. Ottamthullal became popular because of its simplicity and it is easily understandable comparing to Kathakali for ordinary people. The stories from hindu epics are retold in simple malayalam poetry.

Ottamthullal is a solo performance. The performer will act and dance while singing thullal poems. Simple costumes similar to Kathakali and percussion instruments like Mizhav(a big drum made of copper) and cymbal are used.

Kerala kalamandalam, founded by the great poet vallathol narayana menon, intended to promote kerala arts offers course in Ottamthullal.

Watch the video clip of Ottam thullal.....

Kerala Kalamandalam

Kerala Kalamandalam is the place for indian arts and culture lovers located at Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur district, Kerala along the banks of beautiful Nila river.

Kerala Kalamandalam is a public institution of Kerala, founded in 1930 by the great poet Padmabhooshan Vallathol Narayana menon for the preservation and promotion of the Classical arts of Kerala. Now this institution is well known all over the world. The artist teachers and students of kerala kalamandalam represented india in many international dance and theatre fesivals and participated in arts and culture programs in many foreign countries.

Kerala Kalamandalam offers training in performing arts of Kerala like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam, Thullal, Panchavadyam, Classical music (Vocal), Mridangam and other famous Classical arts of India like Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi etc.

Kerala kalamandalam is following the traditional Gurukula vidyabhyasam(education system where students residing and learning in teacher's house so that the relationship between the teacher and student will be deep). Several foreign students are training performing arts here. Students visa is a must for foreign students. Kerala Kalamandalam is a Deemed University for arts and culture approved by UGC (University Grants Commission).

Kerala Kalamandalam is home to many famous performing artists of India.

Kerala Kalamandalam and Kerala tourism department offers A Day with Masters Cultural toursm package to the Kerala arts and culture lovers from India and outside India.Read more... The Vallathol-Museum, Portrait-Gallery inside Kalamandalam, The art gallery, Koothambalam (the traditional temple-theatre), library and research centre are the treasures of Kerala Kalamandalam.

There are so many Star Hotels and Resorts nearby. Nearest railway station is Shoranur Junction(3km) and Kochi International airport, Nedumbassery is 85km away.

Visit kalamandalam.org to read more

Kathakali

Kathakali is an Indian classical dance-drama, originated in Kerala. Kathakali is one of the most famous performing arts of India and has popularity all over the world.

Kathakali originated from Ramanattam and Krishnanattam(Classical arts of Kerala) in 17th century and several folk, ritual and classical arts forms of Kerala have exerted influence in the development of Kathakali.

The speciality of Kathakali is, the Kathakali actor enacts different characters in Kathakali using stylised hand gusters, facial expressions and body movements accompanied with vocal and instrumental music. The make-up and elaborate costumes of Kathakali are unique and marvellous.

Traditional Kathakali stories are from the Hindu epics, Mahabharatham and Ramayanam. Recently stories from other cultures like story of Mary Magdalene from Bible, Homer's The Iliad and Shakespeare's King Lear have also been adapted into Kathakali scripts. Kathakali stories are written to play a whole night. But nowadays 2-4 hour lasting shorten versions are more popular.
Characters in Kathakali are categorized according to their nature. This decides the colours used in the make-up of the artist.

To attain the high flexibility and muscle control required for this art form, a Kathakali dancer undergoes a special course of training and special types of body massage.

Language used in Kathakali music is a mix of Sanskrit and Malayalam called Manipravalam. The Kathakali songs are composed in Carnatic Music. Percussion Instruments like Chenda, chengala, Idakka, Maddalam and ilathalam are used in Kathakali.

Kathakali is usually performed in front of Kalivilakku(lamp) and the traditional Thiraseela(curtain) is used during Kathakali play.

The pictures shown above are the "Vesham"s of one of my friends Mr. Muralidharan M.N(Kathakali artist) , P.S.V Natya sangham, Kottakkal, Kerala.

ant to know more about Kathakali? click here