One of the minukku ('softly-shaded') Kathakali charcters, this is actually the witch Nakrathundi in the form of a beautiful girl (all the characters - male and female - are traditionally played by men). The ingredients for the make-up are all natural, and the yellow colouring has been ground into a powder from raw amorphous sulphur. Burnt coconut oil is used for the black eye shadow, and juice from crushed seeds is dropped into the eyes to make them bloodshot. The whole process can take up to three hours.