Kathakali – Dance — Syllabus & Chapters

The complete syllabus for Kathakali – Dance — every chapter you need to study, and how the exam paper is structured.

What you will study (chapters)

Chapter 1: Origins and History of Kathakali
Chapter 2: Key Features: Makeup, Costume, and Performance Style
Chapter 3: Facial Expressions and Eye Movements (Navarasas and Abhinaya)
Chapter 4: Mudras (Hastas) and Hand Gesture Vocabulary
Chapter 5: Keechakavadham, Uttara Swayamvaram, and Dakshayagam
Chapter 6: Pothanamoksham and Other Core Kathakali Excerpts
Chapter 7: Percussion and Musical Accompaniments: Chenda, Maddalam, Edakka, Chengila, Elathalam
Chapter 8: Kerala Kalamandalam, NCERT Alignment, and CBSE Assessment

Frequently asked questions

How many chapters are there in Kathakali – Dance?

The Kathakali – Dance syllabus has 8 chapters, listed in full above. Cover the high-weightage chapters first using the exam pattern as a guide.

How do I know which Kathakali – Dance chapters carry the most marks?

Compare the chapter list above with the exam pattern and the last few years of question papers — the topics that appear most often and the units with the highest marks are where to focus first. Always confirm weightage against the official syllabus for your exam year.

Has the Kathakali – Dance syllabus changed this year?

Boards occasionally revise the syllabus or remove topics for a session. Always download the official syllabus for your exact exam year from the official CBSE portal rather than relying on an older copy or a social-media list.

How can I prepare for Kathakali – Dance faster?

Begin with the most-frequently-asked topics and the last few years of question papers, then test yourself under timed conditions. If you want guided help, you can use the free AI study tutor for Kathakali – Dance — practise past-paper questions and get instant feedback — or a focused Kathakali – Dance study guide that condenses the syllabus into the topics that matter most — both are free to start.