Brilliant colours and ethereal music breathing life into a synergy of gestures, facial expressions and dance steps make up Kutiyattam - one of Kerala's ancient dance forms. Presented here is an excerpt from Bali Vadham (Slaying of the Monkey King Bali) - an episode from the Indian Epic, Ramayana - in which an angry Bali converses with his consort Tara, who is trying in vain to convince Bali not to take revenge on his treacherous brother Sugreeva.