Kathakali, Indian Classical Dance
Kathakali is a combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance. "Katha" means story and "Kali" stands for dance. This is a form of dance formerly confined only to the festival stages in temples. It symbolizes a blending of the Aryan and Dravidian cultures, for shaping its technique. The most striking element in Kathakali is the dramatic quality which is inspiring and belongs exclusively to a world of myth and legend