<P> Kathakali (katha, "story"; kali, "performance") is a highly stylized classical dance - drama form which originated from Kerala in the 17th century . This classical dance form is another "story play" genre of art, but one distinguished by its elaborately colorful make - up, costumes and face masks wearing actor - dancers, who have traditionally been all males . </P> <P> Kathakali primarily developed as a Hindu performance art, performing plays and mythical legends related to Hinduism . While its origin are more recent, its roots are in temple and folk arts such as Kutiyattam and religious drama traceable to at least the 1st millennium CE . A Kathakali performance incorporates movements from the ancient martial arts and athletic traditions of south India . While linked to the temple dancing traditions such as Krishnanattam, Kutiyattam and others, Kathakali is different from these because unlike the older arts where the dancer - actor also had to be the vocal artist, Kathakali separated these roles allowing the dancer - actor to excel in and focus on choreography while the vocal artists focused on delivering their lines . </P> <P> Kathak is traditionally attributed to the traveling bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathakars or storytellers . The term Kathak is derived from the Vedic Sanskrit word Katha meaning "story", and kathaka in Sanskrit means "he who tells a story", or "to do with stories". Kathak evolved during the Bhakti movement, particularly by incorporating childhood and amorous stories of Hindu god Krishna, as well as independently in the courts of north Indian kingdoms . It transitioned, adapted and integrated the tastes and Persian arts influence in the Mughal courts of the 16th and 17th century, was ridiculed and declined in the colonial British era, then was reborn as India gained independence . </P> <P> Kathak is found in three distinct forms, named after the cities where the Kathak dance tradition evolved--Jaipur, Benares and Lucknow . Stylistically, the Kathak dance form emphasizes rhythmic foot movements, adorned with small bells (Ghungroo), the movement harmonized to the music, the legs and torso are generally straight, and the story is told through a developed vocabulary based on the gestures of arms and upper body movement, facial expressions, stage movements, bends and turns . </P>

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