From the article: "It is the combination of colours and the intricacy of design that strike the viewer. On Wednesday, the fifth day of the Vadakkupurathupattu festival, which is held once in 12 years at Vaikom Mahadeva temple, the artistes of the ritual drawing called kalamezhuthu had portrayed Goddess Bhadrakali with 16 hands. . .Drawn with colours obtained from nature, the artistes blend the available elemental colours to make the desired shades. The green from the leaves of the Mayflower tree, turmeric for yellow, saffron for orange, carbon powder obtained by burning paddy husk for black, rice powder for white and lime are used to create different colours. Each day, the kalam is wiped away using flowers and hands after the ritual singing of hymns and songs."
Read more: When art & tradition come alive
(photo: V. Chandran)
