Tholpavakoothu

The earliest known mention of Pavaikoothu (both bommalattam and tholpavaikoothu) is in Thirukkural an ancient Tamil text of 300CE.

According to legend, Tholpavakoothu was performed at the request of Bhadrakali who could not witness Ravana's killing as she was fighting the demon Darika.

The recitation is accompanied by instruments such as chenda, maddalam, ezhupara, ilathalam, conch and cherukuzhal.

Pulavars undergo intensive training in puppetry and have a deep knowledge of Malayalam, Tamil and Sanskrit.

Puppeteers have to study the Kamba Ramayana and be well read in the vedas and puranas, Ayurveda, and be trained in classical music.

He was born into a traditional family with a rich historical background; he had studied Tholpavakoothu by his great guru/father from the age of six.

The younger generation have increasingly failed to take up this art form as it is highly demanding and does not pay much.

Themes such as ragging, communal amity and stories from India's freedom struggle have been featured in recent years.

Performances are no longer confined only to temples but are also held in secular venues such as colleges and at the International Film Festival of Kerala.

A scene from Tholpavakoothu
A scene from Tholpavakoothu
Puppet of Seeta, under the Asoka tree
Performance by Ramachandra pulavar and team at Govt. S.N.D.P.U.P. School, Pattathanam, Kollam.
Ramachandra Pulavar preparing the puppets before the show, Mumbai, 2017
Tholpava koothu shadow puppet artists
Koothumadam, prepared for a stage show
Ezhupara, a percussion instrument used in Tholpavakoothu
A battle scene from the Ramayana
Tholpavakoothu puppet as seen from behind the screen
A Tholpavakoothu performance