Snow White, Disney’s classic, will be recreated in a traditional Indian dance format – Kathakali….reports Kaliph Anaz for Asian Lite News
Kathakali is Kerala’ very own dance drama. It is a wonderful combination of drama, dance, and music. The performer in elaborate costumes and boldly painted face enacts stories of Hindu mythology, through hand signs.
However, Kathakali is difficult to understand even for the natives. You should get to know the story before hand. Have the story explained to you in detail. Then sit close to the stage. Try to get some one who knows, to sit next to you. But Kalachethena Kathakali Company, based in the UK, through experiments have made it more simple for the audience to understand.
Now they have come up with an exciting performance which is a fusion of West and the East where the story of Snow White is shown through the art form of Kathakali.
This Kathakali version of Snow White, shows a young princess, Hima Sundari who wins the heart of a prince, but her evil stepmother, who is also the queen, being jealous of HimaSundari’s beauty and grace destroys her. Hima Sundari is eventually revived by the dedicated love of the Prince to prove that love conquers evil.
Kala Chethena Kathakali Company are run by Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar.
Kalamandalam Vijayakumar was born in Kerala, trained by the late master Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair and Padmasree Kalamandalam Gopi at the Kerala Kalamandalam. He was quickly recognised as an outstanding Kathakali female character specialist. A superb teacher and brilliant actor, his sensitive performances and extraordinary skills have captivated audiences world-wide for over 38 years.
Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar is a ‘Chutti’ (Kathakali’s intricate make-up) expert and the only non-Indian to hold the title Kalamandalam.She is the main organiser and motivator – she gets the funding, books the venues and designs and structures the projects for schools, colleges and community groups.
Hima Sundari will be performed on Sunday 7th June 2015 at 2pm (Matinee) at the Ganges Hall, Kala Sangam Arts Centre, Bradford, BD1 4TY. For further details please visit www.kalasangam.org
This Kathakali version of Snow White, shows a young princess, Hima Sundari who wins the heart of a prince, but her evil stepmother, who is also the queen, being jealous of Hima Sundari’s beauty and grace destroys her. Hima Sundari is eventually revived by the dedicated love of the Prince to prove that love conquers evil.
EVENT – Hima Sundari
Sunday 7th June 2015
2pm (Matinee)
Ganges Hall
Kala Sangam Arts Centre
Bradford, BD1 4TY