Kathakali is a 400-year-old classical dance form of Kerala. This video presents the story Narakasuravadham (Killing of Narakasura), written by Karthika Thirunal, a former King of the princely state of Travancore.   

The play
The performance revolves around the story of Narakasura, a vicious demon and Jayantha, the valorous son of Lord Indra (King of Gods). Nakrathundi, Narakasura’s sister gets attracted to Jayantha and approaches him in the guise of Lalitha, a beautiful woman.

Jayantha rejects her love and the disappointed demoness takes her normal form and attacks him. He injures her and a shocked Narakasura vows to take revenge, only to find himself punished for his wrongs. 

Artistes
Performed here are Margi Peethambaran (Jayantha) Margi Vijayakumar (Lalitha) and Margi Murali (Nakrathundi).

Karthika Thirunal
Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma, popularly known as Dharmaraja (King of Righteousness) (1733-1787) was an efficient administrator and a great connosieur of arts. Apart from Narakasuravadham, he had authored six other Aattakathas (Kathakali plays).  

It is believed that Narakasuravadham was completed by his nephew Aswathi Thirunal Rama Varma. The Travancore Kingdom comprised of South Kerala and some parts of the present state of Tamil Nadu.