Kathakali- Excuse me, which planet am I on?

Kathakali dancers
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Kathakali is Kerala’s classical dance drama based on Hindu mythology. I was fortunate to see Kathakali performed in Cochin, on my way to Kerala’s backwaters. I must say that I have seen my share of unusual dancing in Indonesia, Fiji, and New Zealand, but this….this, my friends, is simply a different planet. The costumes are so outlandish that the gay community in Castro would simply go nuts; the face paintings are nothing like I have seen before; the trance-inducing (read: shrieking, ear-drum piercing) music, along with actors’ facial expressions that are practiced for at least seven years before being allowed on the stage - all create an otherworldly experience. I tried to capture some images for you, but the digital camera was not good enough for the bad lighting and the quick movements of the actors. After the performance, I asked the theater director to be allowed a backstage pass so you can get a picture of the actors’ make-up. Enjoy.

Will you stand still for just a second!
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Otherwise, Kerala is beautiful and unique – a former Portuguese colony full of old churches. The oldest church in India is in Cochin and dates from 1500. The religion is predominantly Catholic; the people are wealthier and more educated than in the North - almost everybody speaks English. It is green and hot. I’m off to Allappey.

….this, my friends, is simply a different planet.