Under the latest and popular online series of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav On Sangrahalaya entitled ‘Exhibit of the Week’ the “Tholpava (Laxman)” (Shadow Puppet made of Leather) collected from 2016.
The Community of Saiva Vellala Soni, Palakkad, Kerala prepared it; its Measurement is- Height- 79cm, Width – 46 displayed in the audience as the Third Exhibit of the month of July, 2022 through official website, Facebook, Instagram and twitter page of the IGRMS.
In this regard Praveen Kumar Mishra, Director, IGRMS said that Tholpavakoothu or shadow puppetry is one of the ancient ritualistic art forms of Kerala. It is a composite word of three Malayalam terms, Thol (leather), Pava (puppet), and Koothu (play).
Its theme is based on the Epic Kamba Ramayana, which tells the story of Lord Shri Rama from birth to coronation and it is enacted by using leather puppets in a special playhouse called 'Koothu madam', built in the temples dedicated to Bhadrakali.
An idol of the Goddess is typically set up on a pedestal in front of the playhouse during the performance to solicit blessings and add charm to the play. This art form is very popular in the Palakkad, Thrissur, and Malappuram districts of Kerala.
Tholpavakoothu puppets are made of animal hide. To produce a decent piece of leather, the skin is put through a variety of processes.
The figures are drawn over the skin and carefully trimmed to size for setting up a proper facial expression. Ornaments and dresses are drawn by chiseling the outlines and making holes of different shapes.
The puppet is then attached with the hand that could be animated during the play. Natural colours are used to paint the puppets to highlight the charm and beauty of the character.
A bamboo stick is fixed vertically along the puppet to control the movement of the play. The master puppeteer who directs the show is called a Pulaver. The performers belong to the Vellalachetti and Nair castes.