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Aattakatha (performance)
Aattakatha is a literary genre in Malayalam language consisting of the libretto used for the Indian classical dance drama ''kathakali''. The word ''aatta-katha'' literally means "story for dancing and acting" (''atu'' "to dance" + ''kathā'' "story"). The narrative framework of ''aattakatha'' consists quatrains in Sanskrit metres where the diction also is heavily Sanskritised; the dialogue part, however, is made up of ''padas'', which can be set to ''raga'' (tune) and ''tala'' (rhythm) and have to be rendered by means of gestures and body movements by the actors while being sung by musicians from behind. The origins of ''aattakatha'' literature dates back to the 12th century and it emerged as a literary genre in the 17th century. The earliest of the ''aattakatha''s is believed to be a cycle of eight ''Ramayana'' stories (collectively known as '' Ramanattam''), composed by Kottarakkara Tampuran and about whose date there is an ongoing controversy. Next in importance are the wor ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Literary Genre
A literary genre is a category of literature. Genres may be determined by literary technique, tone, content, or length (especially for fiction). They generally move from more abstract, encompassing classes, which are then further sub-divided into more concrete distinctions. The distinctions between genres and categories are flexible and loosely defined, and even the rules designating genres change over time and are fairly unstable. Genres can all be in the form of prose or poetry. Additionally, a genre such as satire, allegory or pastoral might appear in any of the above, not only as a subgenre (see below), but as a mixture of genres. Finally, they are defined by the general cultural movement of the historical period in which they were composed. History of genres Aristotle The concept of genre began in the works of Aristotle, who applied biological concepts to the classification of literary genres, or, as he called them, "species" (eidē). These classifications are mainl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Thoranayudham
{{Use Indian English, date=December 2019 Thoranayudham (The Battle at the Entrance) is a Kathakali play ( Aattakatha) authored by Kottarakara Thampuran in Malayalam. Based on the Ramayana The ''Rāmāyana'' (; sa, रामायणम्, ) is a Sanskrit epic composed over a period of nearly a millennium, with scholars' estimates for the earliest stage of the text ranging from the 8th to 4th centuries BCE, and later stages ..., it narrates the events surrounding Hanuman's journey to Lanka in order to locate Seetha and convey to her the message from Rama. The actors detail the journey of Hanuman to Lanka by crossing the sea, followed by his encounter with the gatekeeper Lankalakshmy. This is followed by Ravana's entrance, and his entreaties to Sita which are of no avail. Hanuman meets Sita, delivers the message from Rama, and sets out to wreak havoc in Lanka by setting it on fire. References Kathakali Indian plays Malayalam-language literature ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Literary Genres
A literary genre is a category of literature. Genres may be determined by literary technique, tone, content, or length (especially for fiction). They generally move from more abstract, encompassing classes, which are then further sub-divided into more concrete distinctions. The distinctions between genres and categories are flexible and loosely defined, and even the rules designating genres change over time and are fairly unstable. Genres can all be in the form of prose or poetry. Additionally, a genre such as satire, allegory or pastoral might appear in any of the above, not only as a subgenre (see below), but as a mixture of genres. Finally, they are defined by the general cultural movement of the historical period in which they were composed. History of genres Aristotle The concept of genre began in the works of Aristotle, who applied biological concepts to the classification of literary genres, or, as he called them, "species" (eidē). These classifications are ma ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Karnasapatham
{{notability, date=August 2021 Karnasapatham (The Oath of Karna) is an Aattakatha (Kathakali play) written by Mali Madhavan Nair. It is one of the most popular Kathakali plays, having been performed at over 5000 venues during the playwright's life time. The play centres around Karna's emotional conflict after the mother of the Pandavas, Kunti Kunti ( sa, कुन्ती, ), named at birth as Pritha ( sa, पृथा, ), is one of the prominent characters of the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. She is best known as the mother of the Pandavas and Karna, the main protagonists of the epi ... reveals that he is her firstborn. References Kathakali Indian plays Malayalam-language literature ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Subhadraharanam
{{Use dmy dates, date=July 2019 Subhadraharanam (The Abduction of Subhadra) is a Kathakali play ( Aattakatha) authored by Manthredathu Nambudiripad in Malayalam. Based on the Mahabharata, it narrates the episodes surrounding Subhadra's elopement and marriage with the Pandava prince Arjuna with the help of her brother Krishna in the absence of their older brother Balabhadra(Balarama Balarama (Sanskrit: बलराम, IAST: ''Balarāma'') is a Hindu god and the elder brother of Krishna. He is particularly significant in the Jagannath tradition, as one of the triad deities. He is also known as Haladhara, Halayudha, Bala ...) . The first part of the play is about the wedding of Arjuna and Subhadra, and their elopement. The second part is about Balabhadra's discovery of the wedding, and how Krishna calms him down. References Kathakali Indian plays Malayalam-language literature ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Santhanagopalam (Kathakali)
{{notability, date=August 2021 Santhanagopalam is an Aattakatha (Kathakali play) authored by Mandavappalli Ittirarissa Menon. It narrates how Krishna destroyed Arjuna Arjuna (Sanskrit: अर्जुन, ), also known as Partha and Dhananjaya, is a character in several ancient Hindu texts, and specifically one of the major characters of the Indian epic Mahabharata. In the epic, he is the third among Panda ...'s pride. During a visit to Krishna, Arjuna meets a Brahmin who has lost nine children, and has come to seek the help of Krishna. However, Krishna could shoulders him. Arjuna vows to protect the next child of the Brahmin, failing which he would take his own life. However, Arjuna is unable to save the tenth child as well. However, Krishna intervenes and restores all the ten children to the Brahmin. References Kathakali Indian plays Malayalam-language literature ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ravanolbhavam
Ravanolbhavam (The Origin of Ravana) is a Kathakali play( Aattakatha) authored by Kallekulangara Raghava Pisharodi in Malayalam. Based on the Ramayana, it narrates the story surrounding the origin of Ravana and his rise to power following his penance to Brahma Brahma ( sa, ब्रह्मा, Brahmā) is a Hindu god, referred to as "the Creator" within the Trimurti, the trinity of supreme divinity that includes Vishnu, and Shiva.Jan Gonda (1969)The Hindu Trinity Anthropos, Bd 63/64, H 1/2, pp. 21 .... A major part of the play involves the arrogant Ravana enacting the tale of how, by means of a severe penance, he came in possession of boons from Brahma.{{Cite news, last=K, first=Achuthan T., date=2021-02-09, title=Pristine and powerful recital of ‘Ravanolbhavam’, language=en-IN, work=The Hindu, url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/pristine-and-powerful-recital-of-ravanolbhavam/article33791000.ece, access-date=2021-08-30, issn=0971-751X References Kathaka ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Balivijayam
{{notability, date=August 2021 Balivijayam (Bali's victory) is an Aattakatha (Kathakali play) penned by Kalloor Nampoothiripadu. It tells the story of how the vanara king Bali, avenges the insult done to his father Indra. Indra had been captured by Meghanada, son of Ravana Ravana (; , , ) is a rakshasa king of the island of Lanka, and the chief antagonist of the Hindu epic '' Ramayana'' and its adaptations. In the ''Ramayana'', Ravana is described to be the eldest son of sage Vishrava and rakshasi Kaikesi. He .... In return, Bali ties up Ravana in the coils of his tail and humiliates him. The enactments of 'Parvathiviraham' and 'Kailasodharanam' by the actor playing Ravana, is a highlight of the play. References Kathakali Indian plays Malayalam-language literature ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Banayudham
Banayudham (Bana's Battle) is an Aattakatha (Kathakali play) written by Balakavi Rama Shasthri. It used to be a popular play in the southern (thekkan) style of Kathakali. The Asura king Bana, son of Mahabali Mahabali (IAST: Mahābalī), also known as Bali, Indrasenan, or Māveli, is a daitya king featured in Hinduism. He is the grandson of Prahlada, and a descendant of the sage Kashyapa. There are many versions of his legend, in ancient texts such ..., has a thousand arms. His daughter Usha falls in love with Aniruddha, the grandson of Krishna. Bana discovers them together and imprisons Aniruddha. Krishna challenges Bana to a battle, in which he defeats Bana by chopping off all but four of his arms. An excerpt from the play, depicting scenes involving Usha and her friend Chitralekha, is often presented independently. References Kathakali Indian plays Malayalam-language literature ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Narakasuravadham
Narakasuravadham (The Slaying of Narakasura) is an Aattakatha (Kathakali play) authored by Dharma Raja in Malayalam. Based on the Bhagavatam, it narrates the tale of the rise to power of the demon king Narakasura. Narakasura sends his servant, the demoness Nakrathundi to heaven to capture some divine damsels. Nakrathundi, in the process, gets smitten by Indra Indra (; Sanskrit: इन्द्र) is the king of the devas (god-like deities) and Svarga (heaven) in Hindu mythology. He is associated with the sky, lightning, weather, thunder, storms, rains, river flows, and war. volumes/ref> I ...'s son, Jayantha, and approaches him with amorous requests. Jayantha rejects her, and she attempts to seize him. In the ensuing confrontation, she ends up being mutilated by Jayantha. Nakrathundi rushes back to Narakasura, who is infuriated, and decides to avenge her by attacking heaven. He conquers heaven and dethrones Indra. The king of the devas then approaches Krishna, wh ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
