Ashtakalasam comprises of eight dance types in Kathakali, a classical dance drama performed to express the enormous joy of a character. The steps are composed in the ‘Champa’ rhythm and require great mastery for an artiste to perform. Shown in the video is the Cholliyattam of Ashtakalasam in Kalyanasougandhikam, a popular play. Cholliyattam is the rehearsal performed at the Kalari (the training school of Kathakali is known as Kalari).