Kadhakali’ is a modern form of the art ‘Ramanattam’. Except in Minukku vesham’ (satwika type of character ) , make up (Chutti Kuthal) is done in Kadhakali to make it easy for the spectators to understand.

Using  raw  rice and  quicklime in a 3:1 ration, ‘Chutti ari’  (the make up  product) is  made.The reformist ‘Kaplingadu Nambudiri’ used ‘Chutti ari’ on face for the first time. ‘Chuttikkol’ (Bamboo.Palm  tree) is  used for  the art of making up of the ‘Kadhakali’  actor. Once the latex of the ‘Kunnath kaya’ was had used on face before ‘Chuttikuthal’ Instead, spirit gum and cotton is used now.. Mainly four colours made from nature are used to the art of making up of the’Kadhakali’ actor.

Manayola(yellow colour) which is digging out from earth (especially from North India) is grinded using ‘Katanilam’ to make green colour (adding coconut oil).Burning gingelly oil in a bell metal lamp, black colour is made from smoke.

‘Chunda poovu’ added in ghee is rubbed in the eyes to redden the eyes.Now it is started to use paper as ‘Chutti’ which was first made by ‘Thiruvalla Ramakrishna Panikkar’. After using gum and cotton on face, a ring is made with flour. Then a narrow red colour is used. Then a second thicken ring with flour is made. A paper box is fixed on it. Then using a mixture made up of raw rice and quick lime, ‘Chutti’ is made. Various colours are used on it later.

Training for ‘Chutti kuthal’(the art of making up of the ‘Kadhakali character) is done on pottery , which will take a minimum of four years to complete the training

Instruments and Tools needed

Chuttikkol (Bamboo,Palm tree) , One stick with one pointed end, green midrib of coconut leaf with both ends burnt, Valayam (ring with coconut shell)

Kadhakali experts

Othenath Govindan Nair
Vazhenada Rama variyar
Kalamandalam Govindan Variyar
Mekkara Narayanan Nair
Krishna Variyar
Kalamandalam Ram Mohanan