Tholpavakoothu

About Tholpavakoothu

Tholpavakoothu is a form of shadow puppetry that is practiced in Kerala, India. It is performed using leather puppets as a ritual dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali and is performed in Devi temples in specially built theatres called koothumadams. This art form is especially popular in the Palakkad, Thrissur and Malappuram districts of Kerala. Thol means leather, pava means doll and koothu is the play. The lead puppeteer is called the pulavar.
As per belief, Goddess Bhadrakali who was busy in her fight with Dharika, whom she eventually kills, could not watch the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana and the subsequent release of Sita, his beloved wife. Since the goddess missed that epic battle between Rama and Ravana, the story of Ramayana was staged in the form of Tholpavakoothu, especially the Yudha Kanda, the chapter dealing with the war. The story of Ramayana has been composed for Tholpavakoothu.
The lead artist, Shri K K Ramchandra Pulavar was born to National awardee, late Guru Shri K L Krishnan Kutty Pulavar. He was born to a traditional family with a rich historical and cultural heritage. He studied Tholpavakoothu from his Guru and father from the age of six and mastered all aspects of the art form within the span of his childhood. He is the 11th generation of Pulavars endowed with this unique talent. he has received national and international recognition for his work and is the recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy National Award for 2015 from the president of india.