Kathakali Mask

Kathakali masks are not separate pieces but intricate face paintings crucial to Kathakali, Kerala's traditional dance-drama. They transform performers into characters using specific colours and shapes, each conveying meaning – like green for noble characters, red for evil, and black for hunters or forest dwellers. The technique involves a meticulous process called 'chutti' (white border) and 'mukha-rachana' (face painting), done by skilled artists using natural pigments. This art form is culturally significant as it makes the characters visually dramatic and larger than life, essential for conveying emotions and stories without spoken words, highlighting the rich artistic heritage of Kerala.