Stage Costume - Theater of India

A Kathakali artist in the process of applying detailed green and red face makeup at a low mirror, surrounded by small bowls of natural pigments, soft lamp light catching the rice paste detailing on his cheeks.

Traditions

April 15, 2026 5 min read

Why Do Indian Theatre Performers Wear Such Heavy Makeup?

Why are Kathakali, Yakshagana, and Theyyam artists covered in green, red, and gold makeup? Three real reasons: visibility, character coding,…