Kathakali Dance-Drama: Where Gods and Demons Come to Play

by Zarrilli; Phillip B.

• ISBN13: 9780415131094
• ISBN10: 041513109X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-12-15
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Kathakali, the distinctive and colorful dance-drama of Kerala in southwest India, is brought to life for the first time in book form. During these performances heroes, heroines, gods, and demons tell their stories. One of the few books ever published on this genre the book explores kathakali's reception as it reaches new audiences both in India and the west, includes two case studies of controversial kathakali experiments, and explores the implications for kathakali on Keralan politics. The four plays included in this anthology, translated from actual performances into English, are: *The Flower of Good Fortune *The Killing of Kirmmira *The Progeny of Krishna *King Rugmamgada's Law Each play has an introduction and detailed commentary and is illustrated by stunning photographs taken during performances. A comprehensive introduction to kathakali stage conventions, make-up, music, acting, and training is alsoprovided.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations	ix
Preface	xi
Acknowledgments	xv
An `Ocean of Possibilities'	1	(16)
part i performance in the kerala context
A Social History of Kathakali Patronage, Connoisseurship, and Aesthetics	17	(22)
Kathakali Texts in Performance	39	(26)
What Does it Mean `To Become the Character'?: Kathakali Actor Training and Characterization	65	(36)
part ii plays from the traditional repertory
The Flower of Good Fortune (Kalyanasaugandhikam) Kottayam Tampuran	101	(17)
Introduction	101	(12)
Commentary	113	(5)
The Killing of Kirmira (Kirmiravadham) Kottayam Tampuran	118	(17)
Introduction	118	(12)
Commentary	130	(5)
The Progeny of Krishna (Santanagopalam) Mandavappalli Ittiraricha Menon	135	(24)
Introduction	135	(16)
Commentary	151	(8)
King Rugmamgada's Law (Rugmamgada caritam) Mandavappalli Ittiraricha Menon	159	(18)
Introduction	159	(10)
Commentary	169	(8)
part iii contested narratives: new plays, discourses, and contexts
For Whom is the King a King? Issues of Intercultural Production, Perception, and Reception in a Kathakali King Lear	177	(19)
When Marx met Imperialism on the Kathakali Stage	196	(10)
Afterword: Whose Gods, and Whose Demons Dance?	206	(3)
Appendix: Kathakali Performances on Video	209	(3)
Notes	212	(19)
Bibliography and References Cited	231	(11)
Glossary and Table of Transliteration	242	(11)
Index	253