EXHIBITION DATES:

Our Kathakali costumes represent the Hindu deities through the most remarkable visual images in the world of theatre. Behind these costumes is a world of music, art, drama, dance, festivals, rituals that have been created and nurtured by the people of Kerala, south India.

 

Mask and photo credit - Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar

 

Kathakali costumes.

 

Some of the costume sections are over 200 years old showing the carving marks of 18th century craftsmen.

The costumes are owned by Kathakali artists, Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar and Kalamandalam Vijayakumar, and are the only full set of Kathakali costumes outside of India. They are used in the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company performances and will eventually become part of the Victoria and Albert Museum`s permanent collection.

Workshops and performances reveal what the costumes represent, their history, how they are repaired and how the characters are brought to life by a Kathakali actor.

See authentic Kathakali, Bharatanatyam and Mohiniattam costumes from Kerala, films, Oral Histories and photographs. Observe the beautiful colours, fabrics, intricate wood carving, tailoring and pattern cutting designed to create extraordinary characters. 

 

EXHIBITION VENUES:

 

Please come and join us - see an exhibition - take part in a workshop and experience a performance.  

 

MARCH 16th, 17th and 18th 

TIME: 1.30pm - 2.30pm

 

Archbishop Lanfranc Academy [Senior School]

Mitcham Road

Croydon

CR9 3AS

Tel: 020 8689 1255

Contact: Rachel Huggins Subject Co-ordinator – Music.

http://www.lanfranc.org.uk

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

APRIL 2nd - 21st 

 

TIME 11.00am - 4.00pm 

 

Performance and workshop on 2md April only from 11.00am 

 

Norbury Library

1 Beatrice Ave

Norbury

Croydon

SW16 4UW

Tel: 020 3700 1011

 

 

 

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

APRIL 30th - MAY 21st

 

Museum of Croydon

Croydon Clocktower

Katharine Street

Croydon

CR9 1ET

Tel: 020 8253 1022

http://www.museumofcryodon.com

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

MAY 6th

 

11.30am – 2.30pm

 

Museum of Croydon

Croydon Clocktower

Katharine Street

Croydon

CR9 1ET

Tel: 020 8253 1022

http://www.museumofcryodon.com

 

Advanced training in Kathakali costume conservation, how to display a Kathakali costume correctly, apply the gold foil onto the carved wood, what the costumes symbolise and the characters they represent. - led by Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar.

 

 

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

May 7th

 

11.00am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm – 3.00pm

 

Museum of Croydon

Croydon Clocktower

Katharine Street

Croydon

CR9 1ET

Tel: 020 8253 1022

http://www.museumofcryodon.com

 

 

Kathakali drama workshop - morning

 

Learn how the costumes come alive through movement, characters, emotions and a 4,000-year-old sign language. - led by Kalamandalam Vijayakumar

 

Kathakali mask making workshop - afternoon

Make a mask based on the traditional Kathakali makeup designs. - led by Kalamandalam barbara Vijayakumar

 

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

May 14th

 

11.30am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm – 2.30pm

 

Museum of Croydon

Croydon Clocktower

Katharine Street

Croydon

CR9 1ET

Tel: 020 8253 1022

http://www.museumofcryodon.com

 

 

Chenda drumming workshops

 

Learn the basic rhythms and discover the sounds of Kerala through the ancient Chenda drum. - led by Vinod Navadhar.

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

May 21st

 

6.00pm - 8.00pm

 

Museum of Croydon

Croydon Clocktower

Katharine Street

Croydon

CR9 1ET

Tel: 020 8253 1022

http://www.museumofcryodon.com

 

A Celebration of Kerala Culture - exhibition closes

Open a door into the remarkable world of Kerala, enjoy the powerful drumming of a Chenda Melam, see the costumes come alive through professional performances of Kathakali, Bharathanatyam and Kia Kotti Kali. See the traditional dress of Kerala, photographs and films then complete the experience with Kerala snacks as the exhibition closes.

 

Kia Kotti kali - traditional dance of Kerala performed by women.

 

Performances by internationally renowned artists Kathakali - Kalamandalam Vijayakumar, Bharatanatyam - Anusha Subramanyam and Chenda - Vinod Navadhar

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Kerala Community - Croydon.

Date to be confirmed will be hosting an evening of Kathakali and Kerala events to celebrate Onam. 

 

Workshops and Performances 

To accompany the exhibitions there will be a series of workshops and performances:

 

Subrang Arts - Croydon

March 19th and 20th 2022

Subrang Arts will be hosting two workshops.

March 19th - exploring the similarities between Kathakali and Gujurati folk dance.

March 20th - exploring Kathakali fcharactes, how they move, who they represent and make a mask to take home.

led by Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Kalamanadalam Barbara Vijayakumar

 

Beeja Dance Company - Croydon

Date to be confirmed

Will be hosting two workshops to explore the heritage and techniques of Bharatanatyam and Kathakali.
led by Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Kalamanadalam Barbara Vijayakumar

 

Play for Progress - Croydon

Date to be confirmed.

Will host two workshops exploring the ancient healing qualities of Kathakali to focus the mind and body.

Explore how stories can be told through emotion, gestures and body language and the power of visual theate. 

 

As soon as we have confirmed details we will post details on our web page - please watch this space.