Koothumadam at Aryankavu - Kavalapara and More puppets

Its a Poi Kuthira - Dummy Horse - Decorated - a common ingredient of the festivals in this region

Sita Sitting in Royal pose

Gopuram - Tower. Integral part of Lanka - Ravana's Kingdom

Puppet representing the Sea - with its living creatures

Ravana Sitting with Gopuram(tower) in front

A Typical festival occasion - See the decorated Dummy Horses

Screen Rolled down

Screen Setting being done

Ganapathy

It was the festival season at Aryankavu Temple located at Kavalapara Shoranur, which is the one of the most famous events in the district of Palakkad. This is where Tholpavakoothu is performed for 21nights from the birth of Rama to the Pattabhishekam (the crowning ceremony). It was a nostalgic visit to the temple and the Koothumadam - the permanent theatre which has been here for hundreds of years. I also joined and recited a few verses. On the final 2days there will be Kuthira Kali (Dummy Horse play). It is the  main attraction of the culmination of the festival.

The Koothumadam (Theatre) at Aryankavu

Inside Lighted and the Shadow Characters visible

Puppet of a Rakhasa taken from inside the house

Kumbhakarna  - one of the large size puppets

The leaves represent forest

Sitting Posture of Sita. Unpainted

Its drama time. Story is Lanka Dhanam by Hanuman.

I am adding a few more photographs of puppets from our collection.

The Shadow Photographs

Today I am uploading some puppets which are presented in their shadow form. This is how it looks in the play.

The Good Times

Tholpavakoothu - is facing a very challenging time now as the number of takers are very few. Even the upcoming generation of the existing artists (performers) are not fully into the study of this art form.

It is basically because the learning of Tholpavakoothu requires the training of a life time. You need to learn by heart thousands of verses from the Kamba Ramayana, and need to have a deep knowledge in Tamil language. The new comers will only be able to scratch the outer layer of some areas.

The golden period of Tholpavakoothu ended with the life of Respected Sri K. L. Krishnan Kutty Pulavar. He was a National Award winner. A real scholar who inherited the skills from his father Late Sri. Lakshmana Pulavar who was the most renowned scholar at his time.

I remember my younger days when I was around 10years of age go to the Aryankavu temple every night with my big Grandfather (who is none other than Sri K. L. Krishnan Kutty Pulavar) and spend the whole night in the Koothu Madam. It normally lasts for 21 nights. My interest will be to get a chance to play the Puppets. My uncles will also be there who learn the art from the Guru.

It is with the efforts of Mr. Venu G (Natana Kairali) and Sri Krishnan Kutty Pulavar, this artform has crossed the seas and found venues in more than a dozen stages across the world.

A Rakshasa (of Ravan Family)

Enjoy the minute details

The outline represents Chariot - you can see the wheels

Puppet is painted with natural color made from tree bark

I am adding some more photos from my own house made by my father  Mr. K. Ramaswamy.

The real beauty of the puppet is enjoyed when the clear shadow is projected  on the screen.