Tholppavakkoothu In Kerala

Tholppavakkoothu, literally meaning 'leather puppet play', is a ritual art performed in the Kaali temples of Palakkad district. The story of the play is based on the epic Kamba Ramayana.

The play covers the whole gamut of events from Lord Sree Rama's birth to his coronation as the King of Ayodhya. This shadow play is presented in the 'Koothumadam', a specially constructed oblong playhouse on the temple premises.

Each puppet is of an average height of 80 cms and is cut out in different postures. The puppets are arranged behind a long white curtain stretched across the Koothumadam.

Behind this, on a split bamboo pole, is placed a row of wick lamps burning inside coconut halves. The light from these lamps cast the silhouettes of the puppets on the curtain. The chief puppeteer is known as 'Pulavan'.