Dots similar to pock marks will be made on the face of

Bhadrakaali of Dakshayaga. The Keshabhaara Kireedam

(Crown) is used. Because of the Agni Swaroopa concept in
Ambareesha Charitha and Paundraka Vadha, Goddess
Saraswathi has kireeda, thoda, chevippoovu, chuttithuni and
nettinada in addition to the female costumes. Characters like
Bhoomi Devi (Goddess of Earth) and Maha Lakshmi use
costumes having red colour. Costumes for characters like
Sakuntala, Anusooya and Priyamvada will have ear rings and
corsage made of garland and flowers.
There is a practice of wearing Nina by characters like Simhika,
Nakrathundi and Shoorpanakha, who appear after their limbs
and nose were cut. The grinded mixture of unboiled rice and
turmeric is mixed with lime to prepare the blood-like Nina.
The dress will be dipped in nina before wearing. The
characters wearing Ninam appear before the audience,
evoking in them an impression of chopped off Breasts and
nose and bulging out veins and intestines, to create horror
and fear.
Glittering clothes were not used for female costumes in the
ancient times. Cotton clothes were worn. Some used only
Chineese silk. White sarees were used then. Now, Kasavu
materials and silk cothes are used. Nowadays, contrasting
colours are used, though it is generally worn. Rambha uses
blue head scarf since old times.

There was a practice of applying pathikkeettu (marks made on

the body with sandalwood paste) by women. It is also
mentioned in Natyashastra. But, now it is not popular. It is
known that, only Kottaykkal Sivaraman does pathikkeettu. In
ancient times kondukettu was allowed only for the character
of a kulastree. But, now it is also allowed for woman
characters like mannathi, malayathi etc.. Half of the hair will
be used for kondukettu and rest will be kept untied.

There are some realistic woman characters too in Kadhakali.

Mannaathi of Lavanasura Vadha, Malayi of Nizhal Kuthu, the
aged woman of Baanayudha etc.. are examples for realistic
woman characters. It can be said undoubtedly that these
characters were originated under the influence of folk art
forms.

Apart from the improvements and modifications made, no

radical changes can be seen in the ancient costumes and
paraphernalia. It can be said unequivocally that the female
costumes which is seen today in Kadhakali was formed by
absorbing many elements from the traditional art forms that
existed in different parts of Kerala.

Aahaaryam Varnnam
When it comes to the topic of fundamental colours (Varnas),
there is no major difference between Cithra Sutra and Natya
Shastra. White, blue, yellow and red are the four natural
colours (Natyashaastra). Chithra Sutra mentions five
fundamental colours. White, yellow, red, black and blue are
these five colours. Natyashaastra hasn’t considered black as a
fundamental colour. Then the tradition of mukhatheppu is
more related to Chithra Sutra. i.e. to Vishnu Dharmmothara
Purana. Separate colours for each nava rasas are mentioned in
the Vishnu Dharmmottara Purana.