Album: By Country | By Date India | April 2001 < Prev Image | Kathakali Dancing | Next Image >
Travelogue: By Country | By Date India | April 2001  

 

Kathakali (katha, "story"; kali, "performance") originated in the 17th century in Kerala, the lush tropical coastal strip of South India washed by the Arabian Sea. It was devised by the Raja of Kottarakkara, who, angry over the refusal of a neighbouring prince to allow his dancers to perform a Sanskrit dance-drama in his court, decided to create his own dance troupe using Malayalam, the spoken language of the people.

© Monica & Mark Hughes 2000-02