Experience the magic of south India through the powerful storytelling of Kathakali, a breath-taking blend of theatre, dance, drama, stunning costumes, and beautiful makeup, at Lighthouse Poole on Thursday 10 October.
The renowned Kala Chethena Kathakali Company, from Kerala, South India, is bringing the ancient art of Kathakali classical dance drama back to the UK this autumn.
Featured in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s most three dimensional make up and presented by Kathakali experts who have undergone years of intense training, the tour focuses on making Kathakali as accessible and enjoyable to as many people as possible including children, families, and students, from both Asian and non-Asian communities.
The performance offers a rare opportunity to see Kathakali in this country, view the make up, see the costumes, meet the artists, and ask questions.
A short pre-show demonstration illustrates how a Kathakali actor tells a story through emotions, facial expressions, characters, and gestures; while a short film takes the audience back in time to when Kathakali first emerged 600 years ago and highlights the story to be performed. It’s a story that follows exposes daily life to include love, devotion, families, rejection, arrogance, pride, loss, aggression, global warming, equality, and abuse.
Based in Southampton and Kerala, southern India, the company was founded by Kathakali actor Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Kathakali make-up specialist Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar. These two artists met whilst studying at the world-famous Kerala Kalamandalam, from where Barbara went on to become the first female chutti (make-up artist) in the world.
The company have toured many times in the UK to welcoming and appreciative audiences who travel miles to see Kathakali.
For information about the performances, plus more about the ancient art of Kathakali, please visit
www.kathakali.net.