Kathakali comes to Bordon with Hima Sundari: SNOW WHITE MEETS KATHAKALI

Kerala’s spectacular classical dance-drama comes to Bordon, Hampshire

A beloved Western fairy tale, brought to life through the mesmerising expressions, elaborate costumes, rhythmic movements and timeless storytelling of Kerala’s 600-year-old Kathakali tradition.

A magical encounter between East and West awaits audiences in Bordon as the renowned Kala Chethena Kathakali Company brings the captivating world of Kathakali to the stage with Hima Sundari, a remarkable adaptation of the familiar fairy tale Snow White.

For those who have never experienced Kathakali, this is an opportunity to discover one of India’s most extraordinary classical art forms. For those already familiar with its splendour, the performance promises another opportunity to witness the power of an artistic tradition that has survived for centuries while continuing to find new audiences around the world.

And what better way to introduce this ancient art to a Western audience than through a story almost everyone knows?

Hima Sundari: Snow White in the language of Kathakali

The story of Hima Sundari is familiar, yet its presentation is anything but ordinary.

At its heart is the innocent Snow White, a beautiful princess whose goodness arouses the jealousy of a wicked queen. Consumed by envy, the queen plots against her, disguising herself in an attempt to deceive and destroy the young princess. Snow White encounters danger and suffering, but hope survives through the kindness of others. Ultimately, love and goodness triumph over jealousy and evil.

What makes this production exceptional is the way the story is told.

There is no conventional spoken dialogue. Instead, the performers communicate through the intricate language of Kathakali: expressive hand gestures known as mudras, highly controlled facial movements, powerful eye expressions, stylised body language and rhythmic footwork. Every glance, gesture and movement contributes to the unfolding drama.

The audience is invited to read the emotions on the performers’ faces, interpret their gestures and become immersed in a theatrical experience in which the human body itself becomes the storyteller.

The elaborate costumes, striking facial make-up and distinctive headgear transform the stage into a world of fantasy, beauty and conflict. Accompanied by traditional percussion and vocal music, the performance combines visual spectacle with extraordinary discipline and artistic precision.

The universal message remains as relevant today as ever: kindness is stronger than cruelty, love is greater than hatred, and goodness can overcome the darkest forces of jealousy and oppression.

By adapting Snow White, a story already familiar to generations of Western audiences, the production provides an accessible entry point into Kathakali without compromising the distinctive grammar and artistic discipline of the classical form.

The audience may recognise the princess, the jealous queen and the familiar conflict between good and evil. Yet the experience of watching these characters brought to life through Kathakali is entirely different from seeing the story in a conventional play, film or ballet.

This is the particular strength of Hima Sundari: it makes an ancient Indian art form approachable without diminishing its cultural identity.

Kala Chethena: Nearly four decades of sharing Kathakali

Behind this innovative production is the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company, established in Southampton in 1987 by the husband-and-wife team of Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar.

Kalamandalam Vijayakumar, a distinguished Kathakali performer, has devoted his career to preserving and presenting this demanding art form. Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar has made her own distinctive contribution as a pioneering Western practitioner of Kathakali make-up.

Their work reflects a shared commitment to bringing Kerala’s classical performing arts to audiences who might otherwise never have the opportunity to encounter them.

The creation of Hima Sundari reflects this vision. The production brought together experienced practitioners and distinguished masters of the tradition, including the celebrated Padma Shri awardee Kalamandalam Gopi.

Rather than simply presenting Kathakali as a cultural curiosity, the company has worked to help audiences understand and appreciate the extraordinary skill, symbolism and emotional depth behind every performance.

Over the years, its UK tours have helped introduce Kathakali to schools, community organisations, theatres and audiences from a wide range of backgrounds.

The forthcoming Bordon performance continues that important cultural mission.

Bordon is set to experience the magic of Kerala—where ancient tradition meets a familiar fairy tale, and the timeless triumph of good over evil comes alive on stage.

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Photo credit: www.phoenixarts.co.uk/ Mark Bennett