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Kerala Mural Hand-Painted Kathakali Face Pendant Necklace
Rs. 1,900.00
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Description
A Kathakali performer's face is a complete visual language. Before the performance begins, the face paint communicates the character type: Pacha (noble green) for heroic characters, Kathi (knife-sharp) for villains, Minukku (radiant) for women and sages. The painter — the artist who applies the face paint — is as skilled as the performer. What you see in a Kathakali face is hours of precision applied to a living canvas.
This pendant takes that precision to a wooden surface. The silhouette cut of the pendant follows the exact outline of the Kathakali headdress: the large circular ear ornaments that extend outward from each side of the face, the towering structured crown above, the wide base of the face that accommodates the elaborate face paint. The pendant shape itself is the art — it is not a rectangle with a Kathakali face on it, but a shape that is the Kathakali face.
The painting carries the characteristic green facial paint (Pacha) of a heroic Kathakali character, with the elaborate red, orange, and white headdress elements that distinguish Kathakali from other classical dance traditions of Kerala. The colour palette on the pendant — orange and green — is then carried directly into the bead chain: alternating orange and green round beads on a black rope. It is a rare example of chain design that consciously mirrors the pendant's palette.
Kathakali is one of the eight classical dance-drama forms of India, originating in Kerala in the 17th century. Its elaborate costumes, face painting, and hand gestures (mudras) combine elements from Sanskrit drama, martial arts (Kalaripayattu), and devotional music into a single performance tradition. Each classical dance form represents a different way of transmitting the Mahabharata and Ramayana — and the Kathakali pendant you wear carries a fragment of that living tradition.
Material : Pre-engineered wood pendant (silhouette-cut Kathakali face shape), non-toxic hand-applied pigments. Chain: black rope with alternating orange and green round beads.
Dimension : Length of the neck piece : 17.5 inches - 8 inches ( 44 cm - 20.5 cm) adjustable length
Size of the pendant : 3.5 inches x 3.5 inches (9 cm x 9 cm)
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Brand Philosophy
When you order from EthniiChic, you receive more than just a product—you bring home a piece of India’s cultural heritage.
Each creation is handcrafted with care, hand-painted with authentic traditional art forms, and finished to perfection for lasting quality.
Expect vibrant storytelling through design, eco-conscious craftsmanship, and timely, well-packaged delivery that ensures your order arrives safe and ready to adorn your space / yourself.
DISCLAIMER
At EthniiChic, we celebrate the artistry of handmade products, each lovingly crafted by skilled artisans.
Due to this unique handmade nature, minor variations and subtle surface textures are natural and should be embraced as hallmarks of authentic charm and individuality, rather than defects.
Please note that the actual colors of our products may vary slightly depending on your device's screen resolution and any accessories shown in product images are for styling purposes only and are not included with your purchase.
