Final answer:
Kathakali, a classical Indian dance-drama, is based on two great Indian epics: the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. These epics are integral to the storytelling in Kathakali performances, represented through elaborate costumes, makeup, and expressive dance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The drama form Kathakali is based upon two great Indian epics: the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The Kathakali performances incorporate stories and characters from these ancient texts, both of which have had a profound influence on Indian culture and religious practices. The Mahabharata, with over 200,000 verses, chronicles the dramatic struggle and battles of the Kurukshetra war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. On the other hand, the Ramayana narrates the story of the ancient king Rama and his 14-year exile. Kathakali, as a dramatic and stylized classical Indian dance-drama, uses elaborate costumes, makeup, and gestures to convey the epic tales, making it a unique blend of performance arts rooted in Hindu mythology and Vedic texts.