Giving a fresh impetus to the age-old stylised Indian classical dance-drama, kathakali, a group of kathakali enthusiasts from Thrissur, has set up a free online encyclopaedia of kathakali sign language, ‘Mudrapedia,’ as part of taking this ancient art form to a global platform.
The first-of-its-kind initiative sheds light on even the most subtle emotion that a kathakali actor expresses on stage with vivid video demonstrations.
Mudra, an ancient sacred sign language, which came into existence in the temple rituals thousands of years ago and later transformed into the sign language of kathakali, is one of the main barriers confronted by a beginner who starts watching it.
Since Mudra (hand gesture) is the pillar of communication in kathakali performance, the project, done by Vazhenkada Kunjunair Trust in association with Thiranottam, Dubai, aims to make the kathakali mudras easily accessible to kathakali lovers who like to enjoy the art form, regardless of where one sits, said its organisers.
“As part of the project, we have compiled the live demonstrations of more than 800 mudras used in the kathakali performances of four various schools, Kalamandalam, Keezhpadam, Kottakkal and Kaplingadan, in the state,” said Sree Chitran M J, the creative head of the project. We have shot video clips elaborating its enactment by the artistes of each school.
“The video clips were later scrutinised and edited by kathakali maestros such as Padmabhooshan Madavoor Vasudevan Nair, Sadanam Balakrishnan, Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharody and Kottakkal Chandrasekhara Warrier,” he said.
“The encyclopaedia, which is available both in English and Malayalam, can be used as a ready reference for seasoned kathakali connoisseurs and artists themselves as improvisation of mudras is an integral part of the art form,” said Nikhil Kaplingadan, technical leader of the project.
Though a lot of books and DVD versions explaining kathakali mudras are available in the market, there is no such online medium, where someone can go for an easy reference to kathakali mudras, available online with various types of content, such as interactive tutorials, presentations, demos etc, said Nikhil.
Kathakali maestros say there are 24 primary mudras used in kathakali to narrate a story. Just as letters of the alphabet become words when put together, these primary hand signs develop into a sign language when put into context of use, with appropriate facial expression and a series of hand, arm and body movements.
The inauguration of the Mudrapedia will be done by Padmabhooshan Madavoor Vasudevan Nair, Sadanam Balakrishnan, Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharody and Kottakkal Chandrasekhara Warrier at Sree Kerala Varma College on Saturday.