Ashtakalasam by Lord Krishna and Balabhadra in Subhadraharanam Kathakali

Shown in the video is Ashtakalasam in Subhadraharanam, a popular Kathakali play. The characters on stage are Lord Krishna and Balabhadra.

Ashtakalasam comprises of eight dance types in Kathakali 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.

Subhadraharanam, penned by Manthredathu Namboodiripad is based on a momentous story from Mahabharata, the great Indian epic.