Kathakali make up is an elaborate process lasting for 3 hours.It helps in giving a super human look to the actors.The make up of the male character other than the saint,is tedious.The Make Up is directly applied to the face and it does not obstruct the full expression of face and eyes.The colouring material used is made from various stones and powder which are mixed with water or coconut oil and ground into fine paste.

The actor lies flat on a matted floor and the expert starts drawing "the designs" on the face.The most elaborate part of the make up is the chutti(a series of white ridges built up from the chin to the either side of the cheek).After face part make up the actor stands up to put on the costume.The skirt is a well starched and pressed into frills garment.Before the skirt is put on,the actor ties 20 to 40 pieces of short cloth around the waist by the help of a large cloth twisted rope in order to give the skirt a oval shape.He then puts the jacket etc. The actor is profusely ornamented with garlands of beast,armlets,cupped mirrors etc.The head dresses are huge and large.

Make-up falls into five classes they are Pachha(green),Katti(knife),Tadi(beard),Kari,Minukku.
The make up colour also plays an important role in Kathakali.According to Sastras color symbolism has got significance.They reflect certain categories of emotions and gunas(attributes).The classification and nature of character are as follows.

Green represents Sattivika nature
Red represents Rajasic nature
Black represents Tamasic nature
Yellow  represents Sattivika &Rajasic nature
Green goes with godliness,white with spirituality,red with ambition and violence,yellow with passivity,and black with evil.