Images of different stages of the folk art form of Mudiyettu
Recommended Content For This Image Gallery:
Mudiyettu: The Ritual Theatre
Goddess Kali depicted in floor painting
Painting lit up by light from oil-lamps 
Elaborate design of Goddess Kali
Five coloured powders used in the painting 
Performers getting ready backstage 
Make-up begins invoking Ganapati 
Preparing for the role of Kali
Backstage during Mudiyettu
Oil-lamp burning backstage 
Actor checks in the mirror 
Tying the upper-body cloth of Darikan, the demon
Artists chant descriptory verses of Kali 
Chutti kuthuka or doing Kali's facial make-up 
Artists chant descriptory verses of Kali 
Giving final touches 
Stage for Mudiyettu being set 
Stage set for the performance 
Drummers playing behind the curtain 
Narada informing Siva of Darikan’s devilry
Narada and Siva 
Darikan making his entrance 
Darikan, the demon, begins his performance 
Darikan proclaiming his invincibility 
Flames surge as thelli powder is thrown
Fast tempo, great flames convey Darikan’s might 
Kali's entrance 
Kali's grand headdress 
Kali entering the arena 
Spectators welcoming the goddess
Character of Koyinpada Nair
Glimpse of the drama 
Demons admitting defeat
Slices of tender coconut leaves form Kali’s hair 
Build-up to the climax
Battle between Kali and the demons 
Different stages of the battle 
Different stages of the battle 
Demons defeated by Kali
Demons with their heads cut off 
Kali with the demons' heads 
Performance comes to an end 
Goddess blesses the spectators 
Actor receiving gifts 
Actor receiving gifts 
Kali, the goddess, in all grandeur