The Future
The Future
Sadly full night performances have declined over the last 40 years along with audience. Many people have a car and when their favourite artist has performed the audience often leave.
This is a worrying time for Kathakali as more artists perform on a self employed basis and the ethos of the Kali Yogam is diminishing. It is vital that Kathakali returns to its roots and the whole reason for performing Kathakali is questioned. The younger artists need support for Kathakali to progress.
In The Kerala Kalamandalam, Kerala, India, foreigners are being encouraged to study Kathakali acting for just 1 hour per day. How can this produce artists of any quality? Our artists were trained from 4.30am to 8.00pm every day for 13 years, and that was just the beginning. Following this intese training it would take a lifetime of experience to take on the powerful characters of a Kathakali story.
Kathakali was once classed as a male classical dance drama, however, there are far more girls studying Kathakali than boys.
What will be the future of Kathakali?
Who knows?
Key Developments:
KATHAKALI embraces a long ancient tradition that began with the temple rituals.
KOOTHA took storytelling outside the inner sanctum of the temple.
KOODIYATTAM extended the majestic temple rituals into drama,
ASHTAPADI ATTAM evoked a national awareness of devotion to Lord Krishna,
KRISHNANATTAM released the actor from chanting.
KATHAKALI took spirituality and storytelling into the heart of the people through visual theatre.
Photo credit Mark Bennett – Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar
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