Tholpavakoothu (Shadow Puppetry)

Explanation :

Context: Recently, a shadow leather puppet in Kerala’s famous temple art Tholpavakkoothu has been animated by a robot.

• Tholpavakoothu or shadow puppetry is a temple art form which is prevalent in the Bhagavathy temples (mother Goddess) in Palakkad district and nearby regions in Kerala.
• Also known as Nizhalkkoothu and Olakkoothu, it is a ritual art performed during the annual festivals in the Kaali temples of Palakkad district.
• The theme of the play is based on the Kamba Ramayana (the Tamil version of the epic).
• The art is performed on a special stage called koothumadam in the temple courtyard.
• It is performed using the mythological figures along with the use of fire and lighting of lamps behind the screen.
• The chief puppeteer is known as ‘Pulavan’.
• Musical Instruments Used: Ezhupara, Chenda and Maddalam etc.