Difference Between Kathakali and Bhangra (With Table)

Kathakali is a Malayalam term. It has its root in the state of Kerala, which is located in the south of India. It is a major form of classical dance and belongs to the “story play” genre of art. One can recognise the dance form by the elaborately done makeup, which is very colourful.

Bhangra which is a Punjabi term, has its root in the state of Punjab of India. It originated in the Sialkot area of Punjab. It is usually performed during the season of harvesting. It is associated with the Vaishaki festival. This dance form has become the cultural representative of the state of Punjab.

Comparison Table Between Kathakali and Bhangra

What is Kathakali?

Kathakali, which is Malayalam for story or performance play, is a major form of classical dance. Traditionally, it is performed by male actors who wear dace paints of various colours but the most common of which is green. The roots of this dance are unclear. The style of Kathakali that is performed nowadays originated in the 17th century. This dance form, even though it is regarded as classical, originated from folk and temple dances.

The usual themes of the dance are folk stories or religious legends, or spiritual ideas which are taken from the Hindu epics or the Puranas. The vocal performances are usually performed in Sanskritised Malayalam. Even though men are the only performers traditionally, nowadays, women are also included in the performance.

The dance is structured around plays called Attakatha, which literally translate to enacted stories composed in Sanskritised Malayalam. The plays are written in such a way that they help the action and the dialogue part of the performance. There are two parts, namely the Sloka, which is nothing but the metrical verse that is written in the third person that describes the choreography and the Pada part, which contains the dialogue part.

The stage is mostly kept empty other than a few drama related ideas and is never full of performers.

What is Bhangra?

Bhangra is a dance form that originated in the Sialkot area of Punjab and is usually performed by Punjabi farmers during the agricultural season. Previously it was performed by farmers while doing chores. Doing the dance during chores enabled the farmers to finish their job in a pleasurable way.

It is related to the Punjabi dance form known as “Bagga”, which is a martial dance. Traditionally, it is performed in a circle. It has another form that is free from the constraints of traditional bhangra. This form originated in the 1950s as Bhangra started garnering public attention. This was patronized by the Maharaja of Patiala.

Bhangra nowadays connects to a much deeper set of masculine values, which are set through labour self-sufficiency and are related to agriculture. It also represents the values of loyalty, independence and bravery in the personal and political contexts. Even though women were previously not included in this dance form, they nowadays use Bhangra as a means to connect with their culture.

With the increase in popularity of Punjabi culture in mainstream Indian media, Bhangra has become extremely popular and is shown as a popular means of expressing joy. It is hugely popular outside India and is often used as a part of a fitness regime.

Main Differences Between Kathakali and Bhangra

1. The language that Kathakali is performing is Sanskritised Malayalam, while the language that Bhangra is performing is in various dialects of Punjabi. 
2.  Mostly the stage is bare during the performance of Kathakali and the number of performers performing once at a time is not more than five while many performers perform Bhangra at the same time.
3. It tells various tales from Hindu mythology, while Bhangra talks about embracing life.
4. Kathakali has not moved away from its traditional form, but Bhangra has various types that are different from the traditional form.
5. The dress and makeup of Kathakali are elaborate, while that of Bhangra is quite simple and is associated with daily wear.

Conclusion

Even though both of the dances are quite different, whether it comes to the genre of the dance or the style that they are performed, one thing can be said without any doubt that they represent the two states that they are from and show the audience how diverse the country is.

Even though women are still not that much included in Kathakali, Bhangra has seen a large inclusion of women due to its entrance into the popular media. Kathakali, to some extent, has been restricted to the stage and the state because of how elaborate it is as a routine.

One can expect that the dance form becomes more available to the masses as the numbers of performers in this dance form are dwindling. Both of the dance forms represent the two cultures that they are from, and it can be said without any doubt that urbanisation has not reduced their presence on the stage.

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