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Synopsis Kathakali the Dance - Theatre, a detailed treatise by Govindan Kutty is probably the first of its kind by a Kathakali actor. It contains all the essentials necessary to a serious student of Kathakali as well as easy stepping stones for the uninitiated to explore the wonderful world of this dance-theatre. The guide to pronunciation is path breaking and should be useful to readers outside Kerala in correcting common but accepted errors. The detailed list of ornaments, the exhaustive tala notation guide the Hasta Lakshana Deepika in Roman script as well as in English translation are evidence of the author's sincerity and aptitude for detail. Kathakali's scientific sign language system should achieve wider understanding and popularity on the reading of this book. And Kathakali teachers as well as students should realise the importance of studying and teaching the Kathakali technique instead of merely concentrating on its grand costumery after studying this book.In fact this book should go a long way in supporting the spread and survival of Kathakali as an art form outside Kerala.