The actual Kathakali story starts when Melepadam finishes. The audience have been bathed in powerful drumming, superb singing, rituals and ceremonies. This is in preparation for the full impact of Kathakali to descends onto the stage and depict stories from the great Hindu epics.

Normally two or three plays are performed throughout the night starting with a love story or one featuring every day life, saving the last story for an almighty battle when good conquers evil, just before the sun rises in the cool early morning sky to celebrate a new beginning as light blesses the earth. The temples hold annual festivals where the community is encouraged to evolve with more compassion and care for each other. Throughout the night the audience and artists have engaged in a universal journey where goodness prevails over evil to illustrate the path to a better life.