Kathakali dance                                                                    

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Context: The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the demise of noted Kathakali dancer Ms. Milena Salvini.

About Kathakali dance

• This classical dance arts of India, is indigenous to state of Kerala.
• Themes: Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and stories from Shaiva literature.
• Elements and aspects of Kathakalī can be found in ancient Sanskrit texts such as the Natya Shastra.
• Classification of characters: reflects the three Gunas namely
  • sattva (goodness, virtuous, harmonious, constructive)
  • rajas (passion, egoistic, dynamic, action, aimless), and
  • tamas (darkness, viciousness, chaotic, destructive) of the ‘Guna’ theory of personalities that originated in the age-old ‘Samkhya’ school of Hindu philosophy.
• Kathakali is a harmonious combination of five forms of fine art:

1. Literature (Sahithyam)
2. Music (Sangeetham)
3. Painting (Chithram)
4. Acting (Natyam)
5. Dance (Nritham)

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