MITEM Professional Program
The Raja of Kottarakkara. Myth and poetry of the Kathakali dance theatre
24 April, Friday 2 pm-5 pm, National Theatre, Kaszás Attila Stage
Tiziana Barbiero, a founder member of the Teatro tascabile di Bergamo, will present the genre of Kathakali with the participation of the main actors, Kalamandalam John and Sadanam Krishnankutty, and the musicians.
The Kathakali (literally "storytelling") represents the events of the mythological dwellers in the triple world: the supernatural one of Devas (gods), the intermediate one of men, and the lower one of Asuras (demons). Each character is essentially symbolic, and each detail of the make-up and the costumes is studied in a way as to transform the actor both externally and psychically, allowing him to assume the characters of the mythical figures he is about to represent.
The Music
The musicians are standing at the back of the scene. There are two drums: the chenda – vertically suspended as a bandoleer with a band, which emphasizes and supports the story by its violent sound; and the maddalam – a horizontal drum that serves as a rhythmic base. Two singers tell the story in Malayalam, the language of Kerala, or in Sanskrit, by using a particular style of carnatic music (Indian classical music par excellence), called sopana-riti. The singers also provide the basic rhythm (tala) for the action by beating a gong and some bronze cymbals.
The actor
The story is translated into a bodily interpretation of each word of the singers by using mudras, encoded hand gestures and facial expressions. Contrary to the singers, not a syllable is said by the actor, although demons and animal characters can emit guttural sounds that emphasize their sub-human qualities.
„Any attempt at comparison between the European actor and the Kathakali actor would be absurd. The Kathakali actor is dedicated to his art from childhood, and after eigth years becomes an actor only if he is deemed worthy./…/ For the Kathakali actor, acting has an intrinsic value and is its own reward. It is a form of prayer and a true method of psychic transmutation.” (Eugenio Barba)
(25 February 2020)