Like other Indian classical dance dramas, Kutiyattam, the 2000-year-old classical dance drama from Kerala too employs 'Navarasas' or the nine facial expressions to convey the mood or the emotional state of being of a character. These 'Navarasas' are expressed at various stages of a performance, depending on the story and the character being portrayed.

The picture depicts a character in Kutiyattam expressing 'Veera,' one of the 'Navarasas' or the nine facial expressions used to express the mood for valour.