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.