EXHIBITION DATES:

Our Kathakali costumes represent the Hindu deities through some of 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.  

 

APRIL 2nd - 21st 

 

TIME 11.00am - 4.00pm 

 

Performance and workshop will be available on 2nd and 21st April. 

[More details on Whats On - Performances].  

 

Norbury Library

Beatrice Ave

Norbury

London

SW16 4UW

Tel: 020 3700 1011

 

 

 

 

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APRIL 30th - MAY 21st

 

Museum of Croydon

Croydon Clocktower

Katharine Street

Croydon

CR9 1ET

Tel: 020 8253 1022

http://www.museumofcryodon.com

 

EVENT

The exhibition will open on 30th April to celbrate the culture and traditioins of Kerala, south India through Kathakali, Bharatanatyam and Mohiniattam costumes, photographs, traditional dress of Kerala and films.

 

Workshops

During the exhibition there will be several workshops  to learn about Kathakali, the costumes and traditional drumming led by professional artists. 

 

Performances

The exhibitiion will open on 30th April and close on 21st May with performance of Kathakali, Bharatanatyam, Chenda Melam [drumming] and Kia Kotti Kali - dance by women finishing off with Kerala snacks.  30th April - 2.0pm - 4.00pm - 21st May 6.00pm - 8.00pm

 

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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

 

EVENT

 

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

 

 

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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

 

 

 

EVENT

 

Chenda drumming workshops

 

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

 

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May 21st

 

6.00pm - 8.00pm

 

Museum of Croydon

Croydon Clocktower

Katharine Street

Croydon

CR9 1ET

Tel: 020 8253 1022

http://www.museumofcryodon.com

 

EVENT

 

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

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The Kerala Community - Croydon.

 

16th April

 

EVENT

The Kerala community will be hosting an evening of Kathakali, Bharatanatyam and Kerala music featuring the songs of the legend music director - G Devarajan to celebrate Vishu and welcome the arrival of Spring.

Vishu is the start of the Malayalam new year when day and night are of equal length and Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura. 

Join this celebration and step into Spring through the images and sounds of Kerala.

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[Venue to be confirmed]  

 

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Subrang Arts - Croydon - WORKSHOP AND PERFORMANCE

March 19th and 20th 2022

Subrang Arts will be hosting two workshops.

March 19th - exploring the Kathakali characters, how they move and tell stories. 

March 20th - Make a mask based on the traditional makeup designs then see a Kathakali performance by artists from Kerala.

led by Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Kalamanadalam Barbara Vijayakumar

 

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Beeja Dance Company - Croydon - WORKSHOPS

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

 

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Play for Progress - Croydon - WORKSHOPS

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.