Kathakali, originally known as Ramaktham, the story of Rama, is a dance drama of Kerala. Its themes are taken from the ancient epics and is based on drama. The hand gestures and minute facial expressions are used to portray situation and emotion. The performance opens with passionate drumming that takes the spectator to another world of Gods and Goddesses and various Hindu myths and legends. The towering head dress,  detailed facial make-up,  dim lights and accurate gestures create a natural illusion. This dance can be performed for the life long and only by the men. The Kathakali dancer can perform his dance without any stage or scenery, and can call convincing images of forests, oceans and palaces. The music and orchestra  forms an integral part of the Kathakali dance and are of a very high order and excellence. Kathakali plays are written in the Malayalam language and based on the mythology and the themes of Ramayana and Mahabharata and set to music in appropriate Ragas.