A lengthy affair, the process takes two-three hours to complete. Doing the facial using natural pigments like manayola, actors turn themselves into mythical being step-by-step. And as the brilliant head-gear fixed on their human heads, they become larger tahn life realities. Elements of the art of Kathakali are believed to have been gradually developed in Kerala from early as the 2nd century until the end of the 16th century. Kathakali as an individual style of dance-drama emerged as a ‘people’s theatre’ from the traditional dances of the past.