AAHARYA IN KATHAKALI

Abstract

The colours used in the facial makeup of Kathakali are Vellamanayola, Neela manayola, Chayilyam and Mashi. When the manayola is grinded with coconut oil it is known as Vellamanayola. Neelamanayola is prepared by adding neelam in vellamanayola. Chayilyam is prepared by grinding dried chutti rice with chayilyam. It is used as red colour. The deep red of chayilyam will change to beautiful red colour when we are adding chutti rice to it. Chutti rice is prepared by grinding rice with lime and dry rice and it is expensive also. So now a days red zinc oxide is used instead of chayilyam in the makeup room. The red colour of this chemical is converted to the needed colour by adding vellamanayola and zinc oxide. Glue and shining preparation is done by mixing chenjilyam with neelamanayola and chayilyam. Mashi is prepared from the soot of a lamp lit with gingelly oil.

Kathakali actor started his makeup after liting the lamp and prayer in the backstage. He used the mixture of manayola and chayilyam which is put in the pieces of the coconut leaves. A fresh mid rib of the same leaf is used to spread the makeup. This process of putting colours on the face of the actor is known as ‘Theppu’. After putting ‘namam’ on forehead and decorating eyes and eyebrows, ‘Chuttikuththal’ starts.

Soaked white rice is grinded in mortar and pistil and made into balls. Enough water can be added. This paste of rice is divided into 3 equal parts and one part is grinded again with quick lime. This mixture is used to put ‘Chutti’.