History
Shadow-puppet theatre traditionally presenting the Ramayana in temple precincts of central Kerala.
Puppetry
Tholpavakoothu
Leather shadow puppet theatre of the Ramayana in Bhadrakali temples.
About
Tholpavakoothu is Kerala’s leather shadow puppet theatre, traditionally presenting the Ramayana in Bhadrakali temples, especially in the Palakkad region. Lamp-lit silhouettes and narration create a sacred overnight performance.
Category
Puppetry
Type
Shadow puppetry
Notes
Leather puppets and Ramayana epic
Where to see
Palakkad and temple festivals
Origin district
Palakkad district and adjoining central Kerala temple areas.
Community/tradition
Pulavar families of shadow puppeteers who preserve the repertoire and ritual protocol.
Costume
Not worn by puppeteers on stage; leather puppets themselves are cut, coloured, and articulated as characters.
Makeup
Not applicable to performers; puppets carry painted character features.
Musical instruments
Ezhupara, cymbals, and vocal narration with percussion cues.
Performance occasions
Temple festivals, especially Bhagavathi temples during lengthy Ramayana shadow cycles.
Famous artists
Koonathara and related Pulavar lineages of Tholpavakoothu.
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