Narakasura

Krishnattam theater mask portraying Narakasura.
Narakasura or Naraka is a powerful and cruel king that rules Pragyotisha, one of the first kingdoms in the history of India. In the hindu mythology he is an asura, an ambitious and evil being, son of Bhudevi, the goddess of earth and Varaha, the 3rd incarnation of lord Vishnu as a boar. He becomes a relentless enemy of gods and finally is killed in a battle by lord Krishna, the 8th incarnation of lord Vishnu, his father. Krishnattam is a performance represented at the Guruvayur Temple in Kerala State, which stages the eight plays or stages of the life of Krishna, a Hindu god. The actors produce elaborate movements and gesture. They have elaborated costumes and make-up. Masks are only used for few characters, such as the god Brahma and the demons that Krishna has to eliminate. Krishna does not wear a mask. Its actor uses blue make-up. The color of Krishna.