Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Hindu
The Hindu
National
The Hindu Net Desk

Watch | How Tholpavakoothu, the traditional puppetry of Kerala, emerged out of the shadows

The Tholpavakoothu artistes behind the screen (Source: Special Arrangement)

Tholpavakoothu is believed to be more than 350 years old.

Performed in the Bhadrakali temples, from January to June every year, the shadow puppeteers of Kerala are busy performing the story of the Ramayana as part of the rituals during temple festivals.

Ramachandra Pulavar, son of the late guru KL Krishnankutty Pulavar, belongs to the 13th generation in a family of puppeteers. For him, this season of plays had an auspicious start, he has been awarded the Padma Shri. He is the first folk artiste from Kerala to be selected for this honour

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
I’ll make up a whopper you can’t refuse! Why do we love to believe cinema’s best lines were improvised?
From The Godfather to Saltburn, the internet is awash with claims that actors are ditching the script and making it up as they go along. What’s behind our desire to invest in these behind-the-scenes ‘secrets’?
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Pete Hegseth's Pulp Fiction Prayer Isn't the First Time He's Used Religion To Justify Illegal War in Iran
From the war to its mass deportation campaign, the Trump administration is expanding the power of the state under the guise of religion.
Reason
Reason
‘Top Gun 3’ Officially Confirmed for the Third Time at CinemaCon
This was known?
The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue
I Saw The First 18 Minutes Of Mandalorian & Grogu, And It Answered One Popular Question Star Wars Fans Have Had
It's back!
Cinemablend
Cinemablend
“I was already a fan, but after that I just had so much empathy for her and her humanity and of course her talent”: Anne Hathaway on what changed her opinion of Taylor Swift – and how she inspired her while playing a “dominant pop presence” in Mother Mary
The movie's soundtrack includes songs written by regular Swift collaborator Jack Antonoff and Charli XCX
MusicRadar
MusicRadar
Did Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Break Up? Truth Behind Viral Instagram Story Fueling Divorce Speculation
A viral Instagram post has sparked speculation about Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco's relationship, but no verifiable evidence supports claims of a breakup or divorce.
International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play