From Wikipedia:
Kathakali (Malayalam: കഥകളി, kathakaḷi) is a stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion. It originated in the country’s present day state of Kerala during the 17th century and has developed over the years with improved looks, refined gestures and added themes besides more ornate singing and precise drumming. The themes of the Kathakali are religious in nature. They typically deal with the Mahabarat, the Ramayana and the ancient scriptures known as the Puranas. This is performed in a text which is generally Sanskritised Malayalam.
![Up in the air](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52679996143_020662c810_m.jpg)
Up in the air
![Thirasheela, the curtain](https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4382/36203117910_407984de8a_m.jpg)
Thirasheela, the curtain
![Behind Kathakali!](https://farm8.static.flickr.com/7866/45649397765_5db1206af2_m.jpg)
Behind Kathakali!
![DSC_0331-01](https://farm8.static.flickr.com/7880/31601627797_d45bf0f77e_m.jpg)
DSC_0331-01
![Kathakali](https://farm8.static.flickr.com/7859/44709560080_e07145222b_m.jpg)
Kathakali
![Kathakali](https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4830/31586681667_1cf4a72eda_m.jpg)
Kathakali
![Kathakali](https://farm1.static.flickr.com/813/40169529124_cd81f06038_m.jpg)
Kathakali
![Kathakali](https://farm1.static.flickr.com/804/40169525054_aaf3670e34_m.jpg)
Kathakali
![Padmasree Kalamandalam Gopi Asan-Bahukan](https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4668/27936559229_1a9f357b0d_m.jpg)
Padmasree Kalamandalam Gopi Asan-Bahukan
![Kalamandalam Gopi Asan Bahukan Nalacharitham Munnam Divasam Nalacharitha Maholsavam- Aravinda Vidya Mandhiram Pallickathode Kottayam](https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4765/24827904687_493d883124_m.jpg)
Kalamandalam Gopi Asan Bahukan Nalacharitham Munnam Divasam Nalacharitha Maholsavam- Aravinda Vidya Mandhiram Pallickathode Kottayam
![Kalamandalam Sibi Chakravarthy Karkodakan- Nalacharitham Munnam Divasam Arppukkara Subramanya Temple](https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4549/23877383437_860221b418_m.jpg)
Kalamandalam Sibi Chakravarthy Karkodakan- Nalacharitham Munnam Divasam Arppukkara Subramanya Temple
![Kalamandalam Krishnakumar as Bahukan Nalacharitham Munnam Divasam](https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4570/24863175358_a13ae7a95b_m.jpg)
Kalamandalam Krishnakumar as Bahukan Nalacharitham Munnam Divasam
![A glistening Waterfall](https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4454/38086472801_3d5980e37b_m.jpg)
A glistening Waterfall
![Moment](https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4449/23935151458_8926651e0c_m.jpg)
Moment
![Lamp on Stage](https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4431/36461639901_f591999864_m.jpg)
Lamp on Stage
![Kali Vilakk കളി വിളക്ക്](https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4159/34137486090_9b5f515cfc_m.jpg)
Kali Vilakk കളി വിളക്ക്
![Vayanattu Kulavan Vellattam](https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3948/33716460160_993751ca28_m.jpg)
Vayanattu Kulavan Vellattam
![Sri.Sadanam Krishnankutty as Nalan Nalacharitham Randam Divasam](https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3941/33859404442_fc7cd64a18_m.jpg)
Sri.Sadanam Krishnankutty as Nalan Nalacharitham Randam Divasam
![Puliyoor Kannan Vellattam Theyyam](https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2843/33233284123_32806d9216_m.jpg)
Puliyoor Kannan Vellattam Theyyam
![Kandanar Kelan Vellattam](https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2926/33631097340_67cffa24f4_m.jpg)
Kandanar Kelan Vellattam