kathakali chutti

Submitted by UMAMAHESWARI on Mon, 2006-12-04 20:31. Other
chutti-i, chutti-2

Kathakali make up is a complex art, which demands two to four hours for completion. It is the thickest make up in the world. Connoisseurs of Kathakali enjoy the show, appreciate the dance and the music and leave the venue. But the chutti artistes remain as unsung heroes. In an interview RLV Somadas the chutti exponent and his assistant Margi Ravindran share their experiences and the lack of recognition they face.

Somadas a native of Pulimath near Kilimanoor is basically a chenda artiste and is the product of RLV School Tripunitura. His father was a Kathakali artiste who established Bhagavathi Vilasom kaliyogam at Pulimath.

It so happened that one day the chutti artiste could not reach on time and Somadas who is a good artist was entrusted with the task of chutti. ‘I have seen how it is being done but I have not tried it before. Out of compulsion I agreed and Kathakali exponent Kalamandapam Krishnan Nair was awaiting for Chutti. I ‘experimented my talent’ on his face. It was a turning point and for the past 38 years I have been in this profession.” said Somadas.

According to him one need tremendous patience and concentration. No Kathakali artiste can do it all by himself. The make up is in no way natural. So are the themes. The characters are super human beings.

‘Our work begins much earlier. Rice and chunnam in the ratio 3:1 are soaked and ground to a smooth paste. Long flexible bamboo is used to draw the fine patterns with never a tremor to blur the outline.” He said.

What is the sequence of the make up is like?

Let us take the Pacha veshams. Satvick characters like Krishna, Arjuna, Nala, and Rama are represented by this vesham. The face is painted green the eyebrows and the eyes are over emphasized in a stylized way. The lips are painted as if smiling. Finally chutti is applied in rows to frame the cheeks and chin. Earlier rice paste is used and now it is replaced by paper cuttings. White paper is cut and folded in such a way that it looks like layers each coming out beyond the one above it. The normal structure of the face is completely altered. The jaw line is widened and is tapered at the chin. For every show we have to cut a new chutti. Human body is asymmetrical and hence the chutti has to be cut to fit the face on either side masking the asymmetry. Rice paste if used takes one hour to dry.” explained Somadas.

But can we distinguish the pacha characters, merely looking at them?

“No chance” he said and continued ‘All pacha characters look alike. I have made several innovations for distinguishing say for example- Nala from Arjuna- by looking at the make up alone. But the actors are hesitating to accept the slight change in the make up. So is the case with Kathi veshams’

What are the other problems faced by the chutti artistes?

The performer rests his head on our lap and slips into deep slumber. There are artistes who snore loudly. It really creates problem. At times the make up causes tickling and tingling and the artiste unconsciously rubs the face. Though may appear simple it is a problem. There should be a perfect understanding between the chutti artiste and the performer. It is the duty of the chutti artiste to take care of the petti ie the costumes, jewellery and head dress” said Margi Ravindran, a Kathakali actor cum chutti artiste.

“Eye strain back pain and spondylitis are the occupational hazards faced by us” added Margi Ravindran.

The most saddening part is the lack of recognition from all corners. We are yet to receive a few words of appreciation. The make up when looked majestic the credit goes to he actor only. We are the least remembered-they say.
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