THOLPAAVAKOOTHU

Tholpaavakoothu is a ritual art performed in Kaali temples. Tholapaavakoothu literally means leather-puppet show. This show or performance is now confined to Palakkad district, especially in Kavalappara and Ottapalam regions as part of annual festival.

The theme of the show is based on Ramayana epic. The whole events from Lord Rama’s birth to his coronation as king of Ayodhya are embodied. The play is staged in a Koothumadom (a specially erected play house in temple premises).

The puppets with an average height of about 32 inches are made of skins of buffalo and deer. Buffalo skin is used for evil characters and deer skin for god characters.

The puppets get positioned behind a white curtain across the Koothumadom. Burning wick lamps in row in coconut shell halves are placed on a split bamboo pole behind the Koothumadam. Silhouettes of the puppets are clearly reflected on the curtain due to the lamps.

The head of the puppeteers is known as Pulavan.