Breaking Barriers as Women Lead Kathakali in Palakkad
Palakkad’s Kallekulangara Kathakali Gramam recently made headlines by hosting a groundbreaking all woman Kathakali performance. What set this event apart was not just the gender of the performers, but also the fact that all ten “attakathas” (Kathakali plays) staged that day were written by a woman and performed exclusively by women which was a first for the region.
Kathakali, the iconic dance-drama of Kerala, has been dominated by men for centuries, with women largely excluded due to traditional and social barriers. However, the tide is turning. At Kallekulangara Kathakali Gramam, 43 out of 45 students are now women, aged between 7 and 58, reflecting a broader gender shift in the art form across Kerala.
This transformation is part of a wider trend. Major institutions like Kerala Kalamandalam and RLV College of Music and Fine Arts have seen female enrolment surpass that of males since gender restrictions were lifted. Women now not only perform female roles but also take on traditionally male characters such as Karnan, Arjunan, and Bheema, challenging old notions about physicality and expression in Kathakali.
Veteran performers and gurus have observed that women contribute distinct qualities to Kathakali, such as greater flexibility and subtle emotional expression. Although some purists were initially hesitant arguing the art form’s intensity and dramatic style posed challenges, the growing success of female artists is shifting perspectives. Today, women are increasingly seen on temple stages and in public performances, even challenging long-held taboos that once barred them during menstruation.
The all-woman Kathakali performance in Palakkad stands as a testament to resilience, talent, and the shifting landscape of classical arts in Kerala. As more women step onto the Kathakali stage, they are not just performing they are rewriting the story of this ancient art form for the 21st century.
