Tholpavakoothu Intensive with Sh. Rajeev Pulavar

Tholpavakoothu Intensive with Sh. Rajeev PulavarAbout the artform: Tholpavakoothu is a traditional shadow puppetry art form performed at bhadrakali temples in Kerala. Tholpavaikoothu is a compound word of three Tamil terms: (tl) meaning leather, (pvai) meaning doll and (kttu) meaning the play or drama. It is performed in temples at a permanent stage called koothu madams in front of badhrakali temples. The stories are based on Kumba Ramayan. It is said to have originated in the 18th century is also

About the artform:
Tholpavakoothu is a traditional shadow puppetry art form performed at bhadrakali temples in Kerala. Tholpavaikoothu is a compound word of three Tamil terms: தோல் (tōl) meaning leather, பாவை (pāvai) meaning doll and கூத்து (kūttu) meaning the play or drama. It is performed in temples at a permanent stage called koothu madams in front of badhrakali temples. The stories are based on Kumba Ramayan.

It is said to have originated in the 18th century is also known as pavakoothu (puppet play) or nizhalattam (shadow play).

About the workshop: 
In this workshop, we will learn about the history and culture associated with the artform. We will learn about the various characters and stories played popularly. This is an intensive workshop where instead of zooming in on a subject, we focus on getting a wider understanding of the artform by learning different elements.

We learn to draw and paint various motifs of trees, birds, animals and human figures.

About the artist:
We will work with the family of Padmasree Shri Ramchandra Pulavar, son and disciple of late Guru Sh. Krishnan Kutty Pulavar, which is the only surviving puppetry community in Kerala to preserve the art form and train new artists in the traditional repertoire as well as in new productions.