The Kathakali Renaissance: A Study of Vallathol’s Cultural Contribution

Abstract

Art and culture are an integral part of life. In its broadest sense, the theme and purpose of art is a form of communication. What the artist intends to communicate is expressed and shaped by the materials, techniques, and forms it uses, as well as the ideas and feelings it creates in the audience. Kathakali is one of the visual art forms of performance attributed to the sage Bharata. Historically, Kathakali as a dance drama originated in the seventeenth century in Travancore, Kerala, India. Colorful decorations, gestures, and postures are an essential part of the traditional
Kathakali performances. Functional components and sections of Kathakali are derived from ancient Sanskrit literature such as Natya Shastra. The term’ Kathakali’ from Sanskrit word ‘Katha’ which means ‘story or a conversation, or a traditional tale’, and ‘Kaḷi’ means ‘performance’ or ‘play’. The performances are based on the epics and the Puranas and chronicle the lives, love, and conflicts of Indian mythological gods and other supernatural beings. The dance symbolizes the eternal fight between good and evil forces. Vallathol Narayana Menon (1878 –1958), the renowned Malayalam poet and the father of the Renaissance classical art forms of Kerala happened to witness a Kathakali performance at his friend’s house at Kunnakulum. He was shocked and saddened to see the vain performance that made the Kathakali dance look disgraceful. This experience made Vallathol patronize the unique art form by starting a new society at Calicut in 1927 and dedicated the rest of his life to the revival of Kathakali. Later, he played a significant role in reviving and modernizing Kathakali in Kerala by setting up the Kerala Kalamandalam at Cheruthuruthy, near the banks of the Bharathapuzha River. The paper tries to highlight and make an in-depth study of this art form’s highly stylized movements, including intricate footwork, rhythmic swaying, and hand gestures called mudras with musical instruments- Chenda, Maddalam, Chengila, and Elaththalam with suitable costumes and its impact on the public sphere as a modern popular art form after the much need revival by Vallathol.