Kathakali Dance, Kochi

In 2011, we visited Kochi (Cochin) in Kerala, India, where we attended a traditional Kathakali dance performance, one of Kerala's classical art forms.

Kathakali originated in the 16th century and combines music, vocals, intricate choreography, and highly stylized hand gestures (mudras) and facial expressions to tell stories from Hindu epics. The dance form incorporates movements from ancient Indian martial arts, creating a powerful and athletic performance style.

I photographed both the preparation, where dancers apply vibrant makeup and costumes, and the performance itself, capturing about 100 images. It took years to decide how to present this story.

While Kathakali is famous for its brilliant colors and elaborate costumes, I chose to convert these images to black and white. This decision focuses attention on what makes Kathakali truly mesmerizing: the dancers' intense facial expressions and the dramatic hand gestures that communicate emotion and narrative.