DANCE AND FESTIVAL

The pomp and magnificence of Kathakali is partly due to its dιcor, part of which include the 'Kireetam' , huge head gear, the 'Kanchukam' ,the over sized jacket, and the long skirt worn over a thick padding of cushions.
The identity of the actor is create as a superhuman being of larger-than-life proportions. Great importance is laid on the 'Vesham', or make-up which is of five types- 'Pacha', Kathi', 'Thadi', 'Kari' and Minukku'. Pacha, 'Pacha Vesham' or the green make-up portrays noble protagonists. Kari or black Kari Vesham is used for demonesses. Kathi Knife, Kathi Vesham portrays villainous characters.
Minukku or Prettying Up, the 'Minukku Vesham' is used for female characters and sages. Thadi or Beard), there are three types of beards or 'Thadi Veshams', namel,y 'Vella Thadi' or white beard is for super-human characters like Hanuman, the Monkey God, 'Chuvanna thadi' or the red beard is for evil characters and 'Karutha thadi' or the black beard is for the hunter.
Mudra is a stylized gestural language used to depict an idea a situation. A Kathakali performer conveys his ideas through 'mudras'. Kathakali orchestra is formed of two varieties of drums - the maddalam and chenda; the chengila which is a bell metal gong and the ilathalam or cymbals.The kathakali dance has to undergo a training for the perfections in Mudras and ther are separate exercises for eyes, lips, cheeks, mouth and neck. Abhinaya or expression is of prime importance as is nritya or dance and geetham or singing. Kathakali unfolds stories from a bygone era in a lofty style reminiscent of the Greek plays.