Nepathyam

When the twilight loses its multitudes of hues to the all-engulfing darkness of night, the thick wicks bathed in untainted coconut oil in the  kalivilakku  (huge bell metal lamp placed in the temple premises) are lit to commence a resplendent art form called Kathakali . A stylized version of Indian classical dance drama that originated roughly in the same period when Shakespeare was scribbling his masterpieces, Kathakali riveted the attention of many with its magnificent make-up of characters, elaborate costumes and well-defined body movements. It combines devotion, drama, dance, music, costumes and make up into a divine  experience for all who get to view it. It retells the great stories of the past, mostly from Indian epics, and leaves one spellbound at the various intricacies involved in the performance. The pomp and magnificence of Kathakali is partly due to its decor, part of  which  is the kireetam (huge ornamental headgear) and the kanchukam (over- size...