Practice: 
        Kathakali Theatre


Play: 
        The Progency of Krishna by Mandavappalli Ittiraricha Menon


Aspects of Practice:

• Based on themes from Hindu mythology (the Ramayana and the Mahabharata).

• Elaborate make up code.

• A highly developed language of gesture, through which the artist can convey whole sentences and stories.

• Included five elements of "fine arts": natyam (expression), nrithyam (dance), mudras (enactment), geetha (song) and vadyam (instrumental accompaniment).

• "The training and body language were influenced by the techniques of Kalarippayattu (a martial art)".

• Royal Patronage.

• Characters are classified into five groups (Pacha, Kathi, Thadi, Kari and Minukku)

• The make up is different depending on the group.

• Categorized according to their nature.

• 18 additional characters who have distinct make up.

• The dancers wear large head dresses.

• The style of singing is called Sopaanam.

• The orchestra provides the background to the dancing and serves as a highly expressive special effects team.

Aspects of Play:

• Hindu Mythology

• Royal Patronage

• Character Classification (nature, make up etc.)

Possible Focus:

• Hindi Mythology (Scenes 6-11)

• Royal Patronage (Scene 1)

Possible Research Question:

• How is Hindi Mythology used to create a more relatable and understandable circumstance in Scenes 9-11 of The Progency of Krishna by Mandavappalli Ittiraricha Menon?