What is Kathakali?

It is with utmost pleasure that I present our latest book, titled "What is Kathakali?"

As people, we have always had an inherent fascination for colours: the blue of the peacock, the red of the hibiscus, the white of fresh snow, and the green of the Kathakali hero the Paccha Vesham. But what lies behind this glorious green? This title presents Kathakali to you in all its colours.

At Skanda, we have always been committed to bringing our classical arts close to our readers. To have the opportunity to study this elegant art in all its splendour was truly a delight.

The book has been divided into two parts. The first, "The Splendour of Kathakali', takes the reader through all of the form's salient aspects, in an easy-to-understand yet thorough manner. The second, "Kathakali and Other Performing Arts, as its name suggests, takes you on a journey of comparative understanding.

I hope you enjoy this book, which, in every sense of the word, is a collector's piece.

Bharatanatyam Exponent, musicologist, researcher, choreographer, orator, author- these are but a few attributes of the multi-faceted personality Vidya Bhavani Suresh. Vidya began her formal training in Bharatanatyam under the eminent guru, V.P. Dhananjayan. She continued and completed her tutelage under the renowned guru K.J. Sarasa. After a continuous and strenuous learning experience of 12 years, Vidya had her Arangetram (first formal performance), at the age of 16 years. From then on, Vidya has been an active and innovative performer and researcher. Her performances have always stood apart for their profound research-based content and uniqueness. It has always been Vidya's attempt to take Bharatanatyam very close to the common viewer. Being equally alert to social problems, Vidya has also presented full-length thought-provoking programmes highlighting child labour, unemployment. women's problems, etc.

Vidya is also an accomplished Carnatic music singer, having undergone systematic training in the form. She continues to enrich her repertoire by continuing her association and training with her guru, the reputed Vidushi, A.P. Komala. Vidya's deep knowledge of Carnatic music has enabled her to specialise as a musicologist. Vidya has written more than 14 small books and 3 large and detailed tomes on Carnatic music, which are widely respected as authentic and authoritative books on the subject.

Vidya also sets the musical score for all her dance productions. She has conceptualised, set to tune and choreographed a collection of 50 items for Bharatanatyam from ancient Tamizh literature titled, Tamizh Illakiyamum Bharatamum. This collection includes respected Tamizh works like. Tirukkural. Paripaadal. Tirumurugatrupadai. Tiruppugazh, Meenakshiammai Pillai Tamizh, Nalavenba etc. This, she considers one of her most important contributions to Bharatanatyam since it brings out the best thoughts of our poets of yore, through one of the most powerful media of visual presentation, namely, Bharatanatyam.

Being an excellent public speaker as well, Vidya comperes her programmes very effectively making the audience understand and appreciate every aspect of the performance. Vidya also conducts lecture demonstrations and workshops on Indian Dance and Music for schools, colleges and corporates.

Vidya holds an M.A. in Folklore, from St.Xavier's College, Palayamkottai (Tirunelveli), the only college in the country offering this rare course then. She is also the recipient of the Research Fellowship in this discipline from the Department of Culture, Government of India. Vidya is a Fellow of The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (F.C.S.). Vidya also holds a Degree in General Law.

I simply love family outings. When our three kids were much younger, planning outings was so much easier as it called for no planning at all! And Suresh being Suresh - the impulsive, 'live-for-the moment' person that he is - always revelled in deciding at 1.30 in the afternoon to leave for Pondicherry (150 Km away) by 2 pm or starting out on a temple visit to Thirumazhisai, about 25 Km away, and extending it from there to Tiruthani, another 65 Km away, without a moment's thought and just ensuring that the petrol tank was full! I had no cause for grievance, for, I guess, I too secretly enjoyed these impulses so very much. Life was pretty exciting with such a person, you see. The one feeble protesting voice would be that of my mom who would say, "Ennappa, konjam munnadi cholla mattaya?" (Couldn't you have told me a little earlier?). But he would counter it with utmost sincerity and his characteristic charming smile, "Just pack whatever little you can. If you miss anything out, I will buy it for you on the way. Don't worry at all." Till our elder kid Mahitha reached about 9th or 10th standard, many a weekend and short spells of holidays (say, 3 or 4 days) were spent thus.

**Contents and Sample Pages**