In Kathakali characters of bearded type known as thadi are of three
varieties. The most aggressive and demoniac are known as chuvanna
thadi (red beard), mythical and fabulous beings like the monkey-gods
are known as vellathadi (white beard); aboriginals, forest-men and
cave-dwellers are known as karutha thadi (black beards). The lowest
type of beings like the aggressor are classed as kari (black). The
gentle and spiritually inclined characters (like women, sages, Brahmins
etc.) come under the type known as minukku (polished).
The vesham or (make-up) for Kathakali is of great importance as the
vesham itself speaks a lot on the identity, character and class of
the character presented. The vesham symbolically represents five classes,
Pacha (green) portrays noble protagonists, Kathi (knife) villainous,
thadi (beard), Kari (black) represents low characters and Minukku
(prettying up) women, sages, brahmins etc.
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