“THOLPAVAKOOTHU”
The shadow
puppet theatre of Kerala-India
Tholpava koothu is believed to have originated
the 9thor 10th century A.D. this traditional puppet play
of Kerala state is still being conducted annually in so many considered as a
temple festival and it will last from 7days to 14,21,41,71 days .without any
break according to the temple customs prevailing in each temple for 6 to 8
hours .the show start 10pm every night and will be continued till 5.30am. All
theatres are being constructed adjacent to the temple of the goddess Bhadra kali. It is believed that the
goddess will be pleased to watch the show and bless the devotes. This
Tolpavakoothu is completely based on “Kamba Ramayana “and the language used in its
performance is also Tamil. The fight between Sree Rama and Ravana and the fight
between Bhadra kali and Darikasura (demon king) took place at the same time.
And hence the goddess Bhadra kali could not see the war between Sree Rama and
Ravana this was brought to the notice of lord Shiva in turn told her to go the earth and remain in temples. Being
in the puppet show in which the fight between Sree Rama and Ravana will be
shown.
Stage: These are permanent high stages for the
conduct of the show in all the Bhagvati
temples. It is known as “Koothu Madam” meaning shadow play theatre. usually the
length of “Koothu
Madam” will be 42 feet and 8 feet in there will be curtain through out
in front of the madam and the puppet show behind will conduct the shadow play
with the help of burning oil wick lamps . Usually the curtain should face the
deity of the temples. The upper portion of the curtain will be white in color
and the lower part will be black. Puppets are held or mobilized between the
lamps and the curtain so as to develop the sharp shadows on the curtain. The
puppets are fixed on the screen. It is done using thorns of a native plant, The
stage Kerala had over 200 puppet theatres in the past days. We still pre serve
about 90 theatres for one to come out as an expert puppeteer. One has to go through
a rigorous training of nearly 15 years. A puppeteer should be well educated in
Ramayana, Vedanta, Astrology, Auyur Veda, and Temple architecture, Puranas, Agamas and
Sasthras. He must have a good working knowledge of the languages like
Malayalam, Tamil, and sanskirt, puppeteer is known as “Pulavar “. The name Pulavar it self is a title best
owed on such a person who has gone through an intensive in puppetry that includes an in-depth knowledge of Tamil literature and especially
Sanskrit .The name is thus used as a prefix
like sir, lord ,shree,like pandit in Sanskrit and Hindi. In ancient days
the verses were written on palm leaves and their interpretations were orally
transmitted from generations to generations. The Gurukula systems thus still preserved and the palm leaf Manu
scripts are still prescribed in many puppeteers house.
Puppet
making: Deer skin is used to make the puppets as it is considered as
sacred and divine while making the puppets the hair of the skin is removed and
the outline of the puppets is drawn over it. Then it will be cut carefully to
size for setting proper facial expression with decorations to the puppets the
different types of chisels are used this being dedicate job. It should be done
with utmost care. Then flexible hands made of deer skins are attached to the
puppet. A bamboo stick is fixed vertically along the puppet and lay holding
this stick, movement of the play will be controlled according to the
circumstances. There must be above 150 puppets made in different posture standing,
fighting, sitting and lying etc to conduct this play based on “Kamba
Ramayana”.
To become a puppet show man one has to study for 15 years under a
scholar. Natural colours are using for colouring the puppets.
The instruments used:
Chenda, madahalam,
kuzhal, elathalam, conch, chilanka, and ezhupara are used ………….
Krishnankutty
Pulavar Memorial Tolpavakoothu& Puppet Centre
Centre for Performances
& Research in Traditional Shadow Puppet Theatre
Director: K.K.Ramachandra
Pulavar
P.O.Koonathara,
Shoranur,-679523, Kerala, India|+91 466 222 7226, +91 984 653 4998, +91 953 963
6134 |puppetry.org.in |tholpavakoothu.org
tholpavakoothu@gmail.com
|puppetry@mykerala.net
