The appeal of storytelling is eternal. We have all indulged our imagination in childhood, twisting our hands to make animal shapes in the shadows to tell stories. The Tholpavakoothu community, though, does it in the most artistic way as a traditional art form passed down from one generation to the next in the Pulavar family. Located around 6km from Shornur in Palakkad district, the Tholpavakoothu Puppet Centre welcomes visitors to observe the process of making puppets of characters from the Tamil epic Kamba Ramayana.
The puppets are made from deer skin for performances. Being a ritualistic art form, it is performed before Bhagavati temples during the festival season from January to May on stages set up especially for the sessions. The troupe also has stages for the visitors with a fee fixed according to the number of spectators. Watching a tholpavakoothu session live is a memorable experience of an art form that once faced the danger of a slow death. As the only surviving Tholpavakoothu Sangam, the team is training the new generation in the artform. Homestays are also provided for enthusiasts who are keen on studying the artform. You can purchase exquisite Tholpavakoothu artefacts as souvenirs from the center. The official website can be accessed to book shows and buy puppets.
