India Kerala Kathakali is the national dance. The Nayaka his face painted green and wearing his great headdress begins the show.

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India, Kerala, Kathakali Is the national dance of Kerala and is popular throughout all India. The Nayaka or principal actor (it is always a man) appears in all his finery. The green face indicates he is playing Arjuna or Nala, if it were a sage it would be apricot yellow, or a demoniac, red will predominate. His great glittering head-dress and the coloured make up are derived from Keralan painting. The stories of Kathakali are taken from the Ramayama or the Mahabharata or the Bhagavata Purana or the Gita Govinda. He follows the text faithfully but is free to show his artistry by accepted signs. The make up takes many hours.

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Size: 4137px × 4228px
Location: India
Photo credit: © Tom Hanley / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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