Suggestions for high quality, authentic Kathakali performance around Cochi

chitra0828

Hi all: I'd love to just spend a day at Kerala Kalamandalam, but our itinerary isn't allowing for that. However we are staying 1 evening in thrissur, and then stop at Cochi, Kottayam/Allapuzzha before heading to Munnar. So I wanted to request advice on what would be the right place to get experience in a smaller group/intimate setting for Kathakali at any of these places? We would like to avoid large, commercial, touristy sortsof performances if possible.

Thanks for your advice. Chitra

CliveG

There is Dr. Devan's Kathakali, Kalathiparambil Cross Road, Ernakulam. You can see the artists get made up at about5.30pm-6.30pm. Performances are long but you can leave when you want. Also there is a Kathakali Centre in Fort Kochi. My wife went to a performance there earlier this year and was very impressed.

marar

When one of our customers came, we had arranged a performance for him in one of the Mana(old Namboodiri house) since he wanted to see in the traditional setup (in olden days, Kathakali was performed in the houses of local VIPs). The performance was really great. Of course, we had to pay through our nose for the arrangement.

chitra0828

ok this is great. sounds like the kathakali centre would be the way to go since we really can't afford to go completely authentic (more's the pity).

BEst Chitra

Nick-H

Completely authentic would mean a temple performance. Not a matter of affording it, as it could cost you nothing at all, but a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

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