Taking Kathakali to the world

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Kathakali has mastered the art of ocular storytelling for over 500 years and offers a terrific panorama to experience non-western theatre and culture. For years different south Indian communities have been developing a greater understanding of Kathakali and south Indian heritage through interactive workshops and performances throughout India and world-wide. The aim is to make activities as enjoyable and accessible as possible to enable people of all ages and abilities to discover the fascinating art of Kathakali. Kathakali costumes are dazzling and symbolize the Hindu deities through the most remarkable visual images in the world of theatre. Some of the costumes are over 200 years old showing the carving marks of 18th century craftsmen. The only full set of Kathakali costumes outside of India, which are used in different performances are eventually become part of the Victoria and Albert Museum`s permanent collection. Workshops and performances reveal what the costumes represent, their history, how they are repaired and how the characters are brought to life by a Kathakali actor.

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The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company is the leading Kathakali group outside of India. It was founderd in1987 by Kathakali make-up specialist, Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar and Kathakali actor, Kalamandalam Vijayakumar to bring the remarkable art and culture of Kathakali to the UK. Since then they have toured all over the UK enabling thousands of people of all ages to experience to powerful storytelling of Kathakali through workshops, performances and exhibitions.

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The Company is a renowned for presenting classical Kathakali performances by world-class artists from Kerala, south India. They are a touring company and since 1987 we have taken Kathakali to thousands of people throughout the UK and beyond. To accompany our performances we offer workshops, demonstrations and an opportunity for our audiences to see the make-up view the costumes and meet the artists. The Kathakali performances offer a feast for the senses as highly skilled artists transport the audience into the fascinating world of Kathakali. Kathakali is suitable for all ages, cultural backgrounds and abilities.  They perform in schools, colleges, village halls, art centres, theatres, museums and art galleries.

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