Pacha character in Narakasuravadham Kathakali

Kathakali is the most classical of all classical dance dramas of Kerala. This video presents the story Narakasuravadham (killing of Narakasura), written by Karthika Thirunal, the most famous one of the kind.

The performance revolves around the story of Narakasura, a vicious demon and Jayantha, the valorous son of Indra (King of Gods). Nakrathundi, Narakasura’s sister gets attracted to Jayantha and approaches him in the guise of Lalitha, a beautiful woman. Jayantha rejects her love and the disappointed demoness takes her normal form and attacks him. He injures her and a shocked Narakasura vows to take revenge, only to find himself punished for his wrongs. On the stage, there are, Margi Vijayakumar as Lalitha and Margi Murali as Nakrathundi.

In the video presented is a Pacha Vesham. The Pacha make-up is used to denote characters of noble and heroic nature.