Kathakali, Kerala's classical dance-drama form, is performed most evenings in Fort Kochi for visitors, typically in two formats: a longer traditional performance of a complete episode from the epics, or a shorter cultural programme that explains the elaborate makeup, costume, and gesture language before a demonstration. Both are worth attending.
The Kerala Kathakali Centre on River Road is one of the most reliable venues, with daily performances and a makeup demonstration in the afternoon that lets you watch the dancers being transformed over the course of two hours. The makeup — green, black, and red face paint applied with extraordinary precision — is itself a spectacle. Tickets are available at the door. Arrive early for the makeup session if you want a good position.