Kathakali, a spectacular classical dance drama, Kerala, India

This picture represents a character type called Pacha meaning the colour Green. This character type belongs to Kathakali, a spectacular classical dance drama of kerala based on the guidelines laid by sage bharatha's natya sastra, the ancient treatise on dance and drama, is over 500 years old.The character type Pacha usually represents pious, gentle and noble characters in a story taken up for performance. This character type is identified by the unique facial make up.The costumes and makeup are ornamental, elaborate and designed to give a superhuman effect. The actors do not speak or sing but enact the story through mudras (hand gestures), graceful movements and facial expressions.The themes of this awe inspiring art are taken from india's rich and colourful mythology. Kathakali is a group presentation, in which dancers take various roles in performances traditionally based on themes from Hindu mythology, especially the two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.This play was performed at Theerthapadamandapam, Trivendram, Kerala, India.