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.

 

MUSEUM OF CROYDON - EXHIBITION EXTENDED UNTIL 16TH SEPTEMBER 2022

Croydon Clock Tower

Katherine Street

CROYDON

CR9 1ET

Tel; 020 8253 1022

www.museumofcroydon.com/kathakali

 

EXHIBITION EXTENDED -  Due to popular demand the Life Behind the Costume exhibition has been extended until 16^th September 2022.

 

Discover the culture of Kerala through an inspiring exhibition of Kathakali, Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam costumes, traditional dress of Kerala, films and photographs. Explore sections of the Kathakali costumes through the Handling Box - feel the weight, texture and sound

Open until 16th Sept (Mon, Wed and Fri only)

Museum of Croydon Croydon Clocktower Katharine Street CR9 1ET Tel 020 8253 1022 www.museumofcroydon.com

 

For details please follow the link below:

https://museumofcroydon.com/kathakali

 

Discover more about the remarkable culture and the people of Kerala through this exhibition.

 

Open 11.00 – 4.00 Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.

 

Entry FREE.

 

Community and School groups catered for.

 

Mask and photo credit - Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar

 

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NOTE: If you can not understand the Kathakali gestures - Kalamandalam Vijayakumar is providing free lessons online please visit https://kathakalimusdras.com

 

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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.

The exhibition reveals what the costumes are made of, the characters that they represent, their history and how the costumes are brought to life by through films and photographs. 

Also see authentic 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. 

Explore the Handling Box - hold the actor`s ankle bells, listen to their sound, feel the texture of the fabric, and smell the aroma of the insense.

All are welcome.

 

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LOOK INTO THE PAST

 

Workshop and performance - completed

 

APRIL 2nd - 21st  2022

 

Norbury Library

Beatrice Ave

Norbury

London

SW16 4UW

Tel: 020 3700 1011

 

 

 

 

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APRIL 30th - MAY 21st  2022 - completed

 

Museum of Croydon

Croydon Clocktower

Katharine Street

Croydon

CR9 1ET

Tel: 020 8253 1022

http://www.museumofcryodon.com

 

EVENT

The exhibition opened 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 were several workshops  enabling people to learn about Kathakali, the costumes and traditional drumming led by professional artists. 

 

Performances

The exhibitiion opened on 30th April and was due to close on 21st May with performance of Kathakali, Bharatanatyam, Chenda Melam [drumming] and Kia Kotti Kali - dance by women finishing off with Kerala snacks.  

 

Due to popular demand the exhibition at the Museum of Croydon was extended until 16th Septemeber 2022.

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May 7th 2022 - completed 

 

Museum of Croydon

Croydon Clocktower

Katharine Street

Croydon

CR9 1ET

Tel: 020 8253 1022

http://www.museumofcryodon.com

 

EVENT

 

We ran a Kathakali drama workshop in the morning

People od all ages learned 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 in the afternoon

brought families together as they made a mask based on the traditional Kathakali makeup designs. - led by Kalamandalam barbara Vijayakumar

 

 

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May 14th - completed

Museum of Croydon

Croydon Clocktower

Katharine Street

Croydon

CR9 1ET

Tel: 020 8253 1022

http://www.museumofcryodon.com

 

 

 

EVENT

 

Chenda drumming workshops

 

People learned about the basic rhythms and discovered the sounds of Kerala through the ancient Chenda drum. - led by Chenda master - Vinod Navadhar.

 

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May 21st 2022 - completed

 

Museum of Croydon

Croydon Clocktower

Katharine Street

Croydon

CR9 1ET

Tel: 020 8253 1022

http://www.museumofcryodon.com

 

EVENT

 

A Celebration of Kerala Culture brings the activities to an end. 

 

We opened a door into the remarkable world of Kerala, enjoyed the powerful drumming of a Chenda Melam, saw the costumes come alive through professional performances of Kathakali, Bharathanatyam and Kia Kotti Kali. Saw the traditional dress of Kerala, photographs and films then completed the evening with Kerala snacks. 

 

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 2022 - completed

 

EVENT

The Kerala community hosted an evening of Kathakali, Bharatanatyam to 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. 

 

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Subrang Arts - Croydon 

 

March 19th and 20th 2022 - completed 

Subrang Arts hosted 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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