Kathakali - Make-up

Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world. The dance form of Kathakali is highly dramatic and the dancers make-up is also very elaborate. Kathakali make-up differs depending on the type of character the dancer is playing. The basic make up for the heroes (in this pic) is coloring the cheeks and jaw bone light green and elongating the eyes, giving them a lotus shape. The forehead is also colored and the designs on it would vary depending on the character. The jawbone is exaggerated to make the face appear bigger. This is done by pasting cut-outs made of paper on to the face. Once Kathakali dancers have put on their costume and make- up they are no longer themselves, they have assumed the life of the character they are playing.

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