The nights become alive with the shadow characters, music and drama in the Koothumadam. Koothumadam is the permanent theater where this are form is performed. Koothumadams are found in Kali (Bhadra Kali) temples in and around Palakkad district of Kerala.
There are more than 50 theaters in Kerala adjoining the temples where this art form is performed for a minimum of 7nights to a maximum of 41 to 60 nights. The show starts around 10pm and lasts till 5am in the morning.
The Koothumadam at the Aryankavu Bhagavathi temple at Koonathara region in Palakkad is very famous for its existance. Here the show lasts for 21 nights in adjacent to the Pooram festival which falls normally on 4th or 5th of April every year.
The play is organized in such a way that the story of Rama from his birth to the Pattabhishekam (the crowning ceremony) is performed with the Rama Ravana yudha which is the important part of the play.
There is a belief that Goddess Kali could not see Rama Ravana War since she was engaged in war with Darika. That is why the story of Rama Ravana yudha is presented to the Goddess in the form of Tholpavakoothu.
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