University of Kerala’s senior professor Dr. B. Hariharan speaks about expressive storytelling

Mysore/Mysuru: Kathakali, Kerala’s world-renowned classical dance-drama with a history spanning over 400 years, communicates through gestures, expressions and symbolic hand movements that together form a universal language understood across cultures, said Dr. B. Hariharan, Senior Professor of English at the University of Kerala.

Speaking at a session titled ‘Don Quixote’s Life in New Translations,’ Dr. Hariharan explained that Kathakali artistes convey complex narratives through colourful costumes, elaborate make-up, the facial expressions of the nine ‘rasas’ and codified hand gestures. “Even without words, the story is communicated meaningfully to audiences worldwide,” he observed.

Referring to Don Quixote and Sancho Panza from Don Quixote and noting how the novel’s blend of satire, humour and irony resonates with Kathakali’s expressive storytelling, Dr. Hariharan said that Kathakali traditionally stages episodes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

“Unlike European theatre, which demands extensive rehearsals, Kathakali performers internalise their roles so deeply that they can perform seamlessly without prior practice. This rigorous discipline ensures flawless presentations that engage audiences beyond language barriers,” he opined.

Describing Kathakali as a demanding theatrical tradition, Dr. Hariharan said, performers adhere to strict stage discipline, avoiding lapses in pronunciation or delivery often seen elsewhere. This precision, he added, makes the art form compelling even for those unfamiliar with the language.

Reflecting on Kerala’s engagement with European theatre, he pointed out that translation practices in the West often remain close to the original text, word for word and line by line. In contrast, Kathakali’s expressive art allows characters to be understood, making it one of the world’s richest performance traditions.