High Priests of Kali-Ma
Inspired by Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

For the Raiders Banquet in 2001 my husband, George, wanted the Mola Ram costume from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and I was at a loss for what to make from the movies (there being a lack of great female costumes) so designed a complimentary high priestess. I had a lot of fun with these! The head pieces are good old papier mache again, and the hair is made from unravelled black nylon rope - a cheap and effective, if somewhat time consuming, option.

The coin belt on the female costume was actually a recently acquired purchase from our trip to Egypt... a belly dancing hip scarf that I paid a measly 30 Egyptian pounds (approx $15AUD) for! I priced them in a belly dancing shop here in Melbourne and immediately wished I'd bought a dozen!

We wanted to do something a little comical with the stage presentation... it started with some very aggressive chanting and gesticulating, then launched into a brief but over-the-top song and dance number. Sing this to the tune of the 'Copacabana' chorus...

At the Temple, Temple of Kali-ma, the hottest spot in Northern India,
At the Temple, Temple of Kali-ma...
Chantin' and lashin' were always the fashion at the Temple...
Ahhhhhhh.... we took their hearts!

It was extraordinarily silly, but a great crowd pleaser!

AWARDS:

• "Best Fantasy in Show" (Master Class) Australian Costumers' Guild 6th Annual Ball (Melbourne, August 2001)
• "Best in Show" Raiders 20th Anniversary Banquet at Multiverse (Melbourne, June 2001)