Kalamandalam Gopi on Traditional Kathakali Teaching methods

When I was learning Kathakali, we used to get up at 2.30 am in the morning. Class starts at 3 am. Classes continue till 12.30 pm, though there are small gaps in between. These also include Uzhichil, Kannu Sadhakam, Mey Sadhakam, Cholliyattam (body massages, training for eyes, body etc.).

After lunch, the Kathakali performance classes (Cholliyattam) starts at 3 pm, and it goes till 5 pm. Evening prayers. Then from 7.15 pm to 8.30 pm, again Kathakali classes like lessons on Mudra, the sign language or the hand gestures.