NCERT Class 6 Arts Kriti-I: Chapter 17 — Make-up
This chapter, 'Make-up,' from NCERT Class 6 Arts Kriti-I, introduces the essential role of make-up in theatrical performances. It explains why actors use make-up, highlighting its ability to transform appearances, enhance facial expressions for better visibility under stage lights, and create harmony with the lighting. The chapter distinguishes between straight make-up, which enhances features, and character make-up, which portrays age, profession, or personality. It also touches upon special effects make-up for elements like wounds or scars. Make-up is presented not just as an aesthetic choice but as a crucial element that helps actors embody their roles effectively, contributing significantly to the overall impact and authenticity of a stage production for CBSE students.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 6 |
| Subject | Arts |
| Book | Kriti-I |
| Chapter | Chapter 17 — Let's Design |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 474 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the necessity of make-up in stage performances.
- Differentiate between straight and character make-up.
- Recognize how make-up enhances visibility and character portrayal.
- Appreciate the role of make-up in harmonizing with stage lighting.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Make-up | Cosmetics applied to the face and body to change or enhance appearance, especially for theatrical performances. |
| Performance | An act of presenting a play, concert, or other form of entertainment. |
| Character | A person or entity represented in a story, play, or film. |
| Transformation | A thorough or dramatic change in appearance or form. |
| Visibility | The state of being able to see or be seen. |
| Expressions | The outward display of thoughts or feelings through facial features. |
| Harmony | A pleasing arrangement of parts; agreement or concord. |
| Aesthetics | Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty. |
| Authenticity | The quality of being real or true. |
| Straight make-up | Basic make-up to enhance natural features. |
| Character make-up | Make-up used to portray specific characters, including age, profession, etc. |
| Special effects | Techniques used to create illusions or visual effects not achievable through normal means, like wounds or scars. |
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Practice questions
- Why is make-up considered necessary for stage actors? Answer: Make-up is necessary for stage actors to enhance their visibility, transform into characters, emphasize expressions, and harmonize with stage lighting.
- What is the difference between straight make-up and character make-up? Answer: Straight make-up enhances natural features, while character make-up is used to portray specific traits like age, profession, or personality.
- How does make-up help actors connect with the audience? Answer: Make-up helps emphasize facial expressions, making them visible to the audience even from a distance, thus enhancing the connection.
- What is the purpose of special effects make-up? Answer: Special effects make-up is used to create illusions such as wounds, scars, or other unusual features.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What is a primary reason for actors to wear make-up on stage?
Explanation: Make-up is crucial for making actors' features visible and helping them embody their characters effectively under stage lights.
Q2. Which type of make-up focuses on showing elements of age, profession, or personality?
Explanation: Character make-up is specifically designed to represent the distinct attributes of a character, such as their age or profession.
Q3. Stage lighting can affect an actor's appearance by:
Explanation: Intense stage lights can alter how natural skin tones appear, making make-up essential to create balance and prevent actors from looking washed out.
Q4. What does 'straight make-up' primarily aim to do?
Explanation: Straight make-up is used to subtly enhance an actor's existing features, making them more prominent for the audience.
Q5. Make-up helps in transforming actors into characters by:
Explanation: Make-up is a powerful tool for character transformation, enabling actors to convincingly portray different ages and roles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main purpose of make-up in a theatre performance?
The main purpose of make-up in theatre is to enhance visibility, transform actors into characters, emphasize facial expressions, and harmonize with stage lighting.
Can make-up help actors look younger or older?
Yes, character make-up is used to portray different ages, allowing actors to convincingly look younger or older as required by the role.
Why is make-up important for visibility on stage?
Stage lights can wash out natural features, so make-up is applied to highlight facial features like eyes and mouth, ensuring expressions are visible to the audience.
What is the difference between straight make-up and character make-up?
Straight make-up enhances natural features, while character make-up is used to create specific character traits like age, profession, or personality.
Does make-up need to consider stage lighting?
Yes, make-up is applied to create a balance with stage lighting, preventing actors from appearing washed out or overly dark.
What are examples of special effects make-up?
Special effects make-up can be used to create illusions such as wounds, scars, or additional features like horns.
Related resources
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Topics covered
NCERT Class 6 Arts — Kriti-I — Chapter 17 — Let's Design. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 10 Aug 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.