Kathakali posture: Elephant – Photograph

Series nameRam Gopal: 1950s
Description

This black and white image is one of a collection of 94 monochrome images used as illustrations for a book entitled ‘Indian Dancing’. The book was written by Ram Gopal and Serozh Dadachanji, a renowned Indian film and art critic. The book was published by Phoenix House Limited in 1951. It includes chapters on the origins and history of Indian dancing and explanations on the language of gestures. This image features Ram Gopal depicting the Kathakali pose of ‘Ganesha’, the elephant god. The right hand symbolises the ear and the facial expression is entitled “valour”.

Date of Creation / Publication1951
CreatorUnknown
Associated Person/ OrganisationGopal, Ram
LocationLondon
Collection and Reference NumberRam Gopal Collection (GB 2661 RGL)
Catalogue NumberRGL/DEC/1950/3
CopyrightThe Creator and/ or associated person or organisation where applicable
Access to originalsThe originals are located with Ann David, academic researcher and friend of Ram Gopal, and with Pam Cullen, Executor of the Ram Gopal Estate.
Series notesThis section features digitised extracts from books, including selected chapters from Ram Gopal's autobiography, as well as photographs and performance programmes.
Collection notesThe digitised material in the Ram Gopal Collection dates back to 1938 and includes black and white as well as colour photographs, several flyers and extracts from books including Ram Gopal's autobiography. The items also include newspaper articles, images of dance costumes, slides, advertisements and performance programmes.