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interwiki-de mw-list-item"><a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tholpavakuthu" title="Tholpavakuthu – German" lang="de" hreflang="de" data-title="Tholpavakuthu" data-language-autonym="Deutsch" data-language-local-name="German" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Deutsch</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-hi mw-list-item"><a href="https://hi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A5%E0%A5%81" title="तोल्पावकूथु – Hindi" lang="hi" hreflang="hi" data-title="तोल्पावकूथु" data-language-autonym="हिन्दी" data-language-local-name="Hindi" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>हिन्दी</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ml mw-list-item"><a href="https://ml.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B5%BD%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%82%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D" title="തോൽപ്പാവക്കൂത്ത് – Malayalam" lang="ml" hreflang="ml" 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title="Shadow puppetry">shadow puppetry</a> that is practiced in <a href="/wiki/Kerala" title="Kerala">Kerala</a> and <a href="/wiki/Tamil_Nadu" title="Tamil Nadu">Tamil Nadu</a>, <a href="/wiki/India" title="India">India</a>. It is performed using leather puppets and is performed in temples or in villages in specially built theatres. This form of art is especially popular in the <a href="/wiki/Madurai_district" title="Madurai district">Madurai</a> and nearby districts of Madurai in <a href="/wiki/Tamil_Nadu" title="Tamil Nadu">Tamil Nadu</a> and also in <a href="/wiki/Palakkad_district" title="Palakkad district">Palakkad</a>, <a href="/wiki/Thrissur_district" title="Thrissur district">Thrissur</a> and <a href="/wiki/Malappuram_district" title="Malappuram district">Malappuram districts</a> of Kerala.<sup id="cite_ref-keralatourism_1-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-keralatourism-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <figure typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Tholpavakoothu_Image.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Tholpavakoothu_Image.jpg/210px-Tholpavakoothu_Image.jpg" decoding="async" width="210" height="141" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Tholpavakoothu_Image.jpg/315px-Tholpavakoothu_Image.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Tholpavakoothu_Image.jpg/420px-Tholpavakoothu_Image.jpg 2x" data-file-width="5950" data-file-height="4000" /></a><figcaption>A scene from Tholpavakoothu</figcaption></figure> <figure typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Image_of_Tholpavakoothu.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Image_of_Tholpavakoothu.jpg/210px-Image_of_Tholpavakoothu.jpg" decoding="async" width="210" height="139" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Image_of_Tholpavakoothu.jpg/315px-Image_of_Tholpavakoothu.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Image_of_Tholpavakoothu.jpg/420px-Image_of_Tholpavakoothu.jpg 2x" data-file-width="5887" data-file-height="3892" /></a><figcaption>A scene from Tholpavakoothu</figcaption></figure> <figure typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Puppet_of_Seeths.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Puppet_of_Seeths.jpg/210px-Puppet_of_Seeths.jpg" decoding="async" width="210" height="236" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Puppet_of_Seeths.jpg/315px-Puppet_of_Seeths.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Puppet_of_Seeths.jpg/420px-Puppet_of_Seeths.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2307" data-file-height="2592" /></a><figcaption>Puppet of Seeta, under the Asoka tree</figcaption></figure> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><span><video id="mwe_player_0" poster="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/Tholpavakooth_at_Kollam.ogv/220px--Tholpavakooth_at_Kollam.ogv.jpg" controls="" preload="none" data-mw-tmh="" class="mw-file-element" width="220" height="146" data-durationhint="44" data-mwtitle="Tholpavakooth_at_Kollam.ogv" data-mwprovider="wikimediacommons" resource="/wiki/File:Tholpavakooth_at_Kollam.ogv"><source src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Tholpavakooth_at_Kollam.ogv" type="video/ogg; codecs="theora, vorbis"" data-width="640" data-height="424" /><source src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/0/0e/Tholpavakooth_at_Kollam.ogv/Tholpavakooth_at_Kollam.ogv.240p.vp9.webm" type="video/webm; codecs="vp9, opus"" data-transcodekey="240p.vp9.webm" data-width="362" data-height="240" /><source src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/0/0e/Tholpavakooth_at_Kollam.ogv/Tholpavakooth_at_Kollam.ogv.360p.vp9.webm" type="video/webm; codecs="vp9, opus"" data-transcodekey="360p.vp9.webm" data-width="544" data-height="360" /><source src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/0/0e/Tholpavakooth_at_Kollam.ogv/Tholpavakooth_at_Kollam.ogv.360p.webm" type="video/webm; codecs="vp8, vorbis"" data-transcodekey="360p.webm" data-width="544" data-height="360" /></video></span><figcaption>Performance by Ramachandra pulavar and team at Govt. S.N.D.P.U.P. School, Pattathanam, Kollam.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:RamachandraPulavarPrd.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/RamachandraPulavarPrd.jpg/220px-RamachandraPulavarPrd.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="338" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/RamachandraPulavarPrd.jpg/330px-RamachandraPulavarPrd.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/RamachandraPulavarPrd.jpg/440px-RamachandraPulavarPrd.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2194" data-file-height="3372" /></a><figcaption>Ramachandra Pulavar preparing the puppets before the show, Mumbai, 2017</figcaption></figure> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Tholpavakoothu_Broc.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Tholpavakoothu_Broc.jpg/220px-Tholpavakoothu_Broc.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Tholpavakoothu_Broc.jpg/330px-Tholpavakoothu_Broc.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Tholpavakoothu_Broc.jpg/440px-Tholpavakoothu_Broc.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1024" data-file-height="768" /></a><figcaption>Tholpava koothu shadow puppet artists</figcaption></figure> <figure typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Puppetry_Stage.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Puppetry_Stage.jpg/210px-Puppetry_Stage.jpg" decoding="async" width="210" height="118" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Puppetry_Stage.jpg/315px-Puppetry_Stage.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Puppetry_Stage.jpg/420px-Puppetry_Stage.jpg 2x" data-file-width="4608" data-file-height="2592" /></a><figcaption>Koothumadam, prepared for a stage show</figcaption></figure> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:EzhuparaInstrument1.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/EzhuparaInstrument1.jpg/220px-EzhuparaInstrument1.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="124" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/EzhuparaInstrument1.jpg/330px-EzhuparaInstrument1.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/EzhuparaInstrument1.jpg/440px-EzhuparaInstrument1.jpg 2x" data-file-width="4608" data-file-height="2592" /></a><figcaption>Ezhupara, a percussion instrument used in Tholpavakoothu</figcaption></figure> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="History">History</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Tholpavakoothu&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: History"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%82%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%86%E2%80%8C%E2%80%8C-%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%AE-%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%A3-%E0%B4%AF%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%A6%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A7%E0%B4%82.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%82%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%86%E2%80%8C%E2%80%8C-%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%AE-%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%A3-%E0%B4%AF%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%A6%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A7%E0%B4%82.jpg/210px-%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%82%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%86%E2%80%8C%E2%80%8C-%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%AE-%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%A3-%E0%B4%AF%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%A6%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A7%E0%B4%82.jpg" decoding="async" width="210" height="101" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%82%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%86%E2%80%8C%E2%80%8C-%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%AE-%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%A3-%E0%B4%AF%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%A6%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A7%E0%B4%82.jpg/315px-%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%82%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%86%E2%80%8C%E2%80%8C-%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%AE-%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%A3-%E0%B4%AF%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%A6%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A7%E0%B4%82.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%82%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%86%E2%80%8C%E2%80%8C-%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%AE-%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%A3-%E0%B4%AF%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%A6%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A7%E0%B4%82.jpg/420px-%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%82%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%86%E2%80%8C%E2%80%8C-%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%AE-%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%A3-%E0%B4%AF%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%A6%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A7%E0%B4%82.jpg 2x" data-file-width="500" data-file-height="241" /></a><figcaption>A battle scene from the <i><a href="/wiki/Ramayana" title="Ramayana">Ramayana</a></i></figcaption></figure> <p>Tholpavaikoothu is a <a href="/wiki/Compound_word" class="mw-redirect" title="Compound word">compound word</a> of three <a href="/wiki/Tamil_language" title="Tamil language">Tamil</a> terms: தோல் (<i>tōl</i>) meaning leather, பாவை (<i>pāvai</i>) meaning doll and கூத்து (<i>kūttu</i>) meaning the play or drama. It is one of the two traditional Pavai Koothu that happened in southern India. The other one is "marappavaikoothu" also called <i><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bommalattam_(puppet_show)&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Bommalattam (puppet show) (page does not exist)">bommalattam</a></i>. The only variation is Bommalattam uses wooden dolls, while tholpavaikoothu uses Leather dolls. The earliest known mention of Pavaikoothu (both bommalattam and tholpavaikoothu) is in Thirukkural an ancient tamil text of 300CE. The 1020th Kural mentions this. The performance language uses <a href="/wiki/Tamil_language" title="Tamil language">Tamil</a>, <a href="/wiki/Sanskrit" title="Sanskrit">Sanskrit</a> and <a href="/wiki/Malayalam" title="Malayalam">Malayalam</a> words. Like <a href="/wiki/Mudiyettu" class="mw-redirect" title="Mudiyettu">Mudiyettu</a> and <a href="/wiki/Patayani" class="mw-redirect" title="Patayani">Patayani</a>, Tholpavakoothu is also an art form that is dedicated to Bhadrakali in Kerala. According to legend, Tholpavakoothu was performed at the request of Bhadrakali who could not witness <a href="/wiki/Ravana" title="Ravana">Ravana's</a> killing as she was fighting the demon <a href="/wiki/Darika" title="Darika">Darika</a>. Thus when it is performed in temples, an idol of the Goddess is usually placed on a pedestal in front of the arena where it is staged.<sup id="cite_ref-puppetry_2-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-puppetry-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-hindu_3-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-hindu-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Performances">Performances</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Tholpavakoothu&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Performances"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>A <i>koothumadam</i> is a separate 42-foot-long stage on which Tholpavakoothu is performed. The stage has a screen, a piece of white cloth, behind which the puppets are held. The lighting is provided by 21 lamps lit in <a href="/wiki/Coconut" title="Coconut">coconut</a> halves or earthen lamps placed behind the puppets, causing their shadows to fall on the screen. The lamps are a placed equidistantly on a specially constructed wooden beam called a <i>vilakku madam</i>. The performance is accompanied by the recitation of <a href="/wiki/Slokas" class="mw-redirect" title="Slokas">slokas</a> and the performers are required to learn over 3000 of these before they perform. The recitation is accompanied by instruments such as <i><a href="/wiki/Chenda" title="Chenda">chenda</a></i>, <i><a href="/wiki/Maddalam" class="mw-redirect" title="Maddalam">maddalam</a></i>, <i>ezhupara</i>, <i><a href="/wiki/Ilathalam" class="mw-redirect" title="Ilathalam">ilathalam</a></i>, <a href="/wiki/Conch" title="Conch">conch</a> and <i>cherukuzhal</i>.<sup id="cite_ref-thehindu_4-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-thehindu-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-thehindu_a_5-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-thehindu_a-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-mykerala_6-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-mykerala-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>A full Tholpavakoothu performance, staging all the episodes of the Kamba Ramayana, takes 21 days to complete with nine-hour performances every day, and requires 180 to 200 puppets. A full performance needs up to 40 artistes. The lead <a href="/wiki/Puppeteer" title="Puppeteer">puppeteer</a> is called a <i>pulavar</i>. Traditionally, performances begin at night and go on till dawn. The show begins with a <i>kelikottu</i> and an invocation called <i>kalarichinthu</i>.<sup id="cite_ref-hindu_3-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-hindu-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Performances are done from January through May and during <a href="/wiki/Pooram" title="Pooram">poorams</a>. A Tholpavakoothu performance can last 7, 14, 21, 41 or 71 days depending on the tradition at the temple where it is performed. It continues to be performed in over a hundred temples across Kerala.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Puppets">Puppets</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Tholpavakoothu&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Puppets"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E2%80%8C%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5_%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%B6%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B6%E0%B5%80%E0%B4%B2%E0%B4%AF%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%81_%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B5%BD_%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E2%80%8C%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5_%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%B6%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B6%E0%B5%80%E0%B4%B2%E0%B4%AF%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%81_%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B5%BD_%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D.jpg/210px-%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E2%80%8C%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5_%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%B6%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B6%E0%B5%80%E0%B4%B2%E0%B4%AF%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%81_%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B5%BD_%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D.jpg" decoding="async" width="210" height="193" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E2%80%8C%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5_%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%B6%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B6%E0%B5%80%E0%B4%B2%E0%B4%AF%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%81_%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B5%BD_%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D.jpg/315px-%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E2%80%8C%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5_%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%B6%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B6%E0%B5%80%E0%B4%B2%E0%B4%AF%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%81_%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B5%BD_%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E2%80%8C%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5_%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%B6%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B6%E0%B5%80%E0%B4%B2%E0%B4%AF%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%81_%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B5%BD_%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D.jpg/420px-%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B2%E0%B5%8D%E2%80%8C%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5_%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%B6%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B6%E0%B5%80%E0%B4%B2%E0%B4%AF%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%81_%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B5%BD_%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1000" data-file-height="920" /></a><figcaption>Tholpavakoothu puppet as seen from behind the screen</figcaption></figure> <p>The puppets used in Tholpavakoothu used to be made out of <a href="/wiki/Deerskin" class="mw-redirect" title="Deerskin">deerskin</a> but are now typically made from <a href="/wiki/Goatskin_(material)" title="Goatskin (material)">goatskin</a>. The puppets are painted in <a href="/wiki/Vegetable_dye" class="mw-redirect" title="Vegetable dye">vegetable dyes</a>, as these dyes last long. Some puppets can be as tall as four feet. The puppets are controlled using two sticks; the puppeteer holds the puppet in one hand while its limbs are manipulated using a thinner stick held in the puppeteer's other hand.<sup id="cite_ref-keralatourism_1-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-keralatourism-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-mykerala_6-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-mykerala-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Puppeteers">Puppeteers</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Tholpavakoothu&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Puppeteers"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B5%BD%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%82%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D-%E0%B4%85%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%A3%E0%B4%82.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B5%BD%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%82%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D-%E0%B4%85%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%A3%E0%B4%82.jpg/210px-%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B5%BD%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%82%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D-%E0%B4%85%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%A3%E0%B4%82.jpg" decoding="async" width="210" height="140" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B5%BD%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%82%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D-%E0%B4%85%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%A3%E0%B4%82.jpg/315px-%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B5%BD%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%82%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D-%E0%B4%85%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%A3%E0%B4%82.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B5%BD%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%82%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D-%E0%B4%85%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%A3%E0%B4%82.jpg/420px-%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8B%E0%B5%BD%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%82%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D-%E0%B4%85%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%A3%E0%B4%82.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1000" data-file-height="667" /></a><figcaption>A Tholpavakoothu performance</figcaption></figure> <p>The lead puppeteer is usually a <i>pulavar</i> which is an honorific given to a puppeteer who is also a scholar. Pulavars undergo intensive training in puppetry and have a deep knowledge of Malayalam, Tamil and Sanskrit. Puppeteers have to study the Kamba Ramayana and be well read in the <a href="/wiki/Vedas" title="Vedas">vedas</a> and <a href="/wiki/Puranas" title="Puranas">puranas</a>, <a href="/wiki/Ayurveda" title="Ayurveda">Ayurveda</a>, and be trained in classical music. However, some puppeteers forgo <a href="/wiki/Indian_classical_music" title="Indian classical music">classical music</a> as it entails several years of study to master. It can take anywhere from 6 to 10 years of rigorous training for a puppeteer to fully master this art and be able to perform it.<sup id="cite_ref-puppetry_2-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-puppetry-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-thehindu_4-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-thehindu-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="/wiki/K._K._Ramachandra_Pulavar" title="K. K. Ramachandra Pulavar">K. K. Ramachandra Pulavar</a> was the leading puppeteer in Kerala. He was born into a traditional family with a rich historical background; he had studied Tholpavakoothu by his great guru/father from the age of six. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Threats_and_new_trends">Threats and new trends</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Tholpavakoothu&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Threats and new trends"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Tholpavakoothu, like many traditional art forms, has been facing the threat of extinction due to the arrival of alternate platforms of entertainment such as television and cinema and due to changing cultural values. The younger generation have increasingly failed to take up this art form as it is highly demanding and does not pay much. The audience for these shows have dwindled even in rural Kerala. To cope up with these social changes, the duration of many performances have been drastically reduced. Thematically, puppeteers have begun to introduce contemporary and secular themes to appeal to the youth. Themes such as <a href="/wiki/Ragging" title="Ragging">ragging</a>, communal amity and stories from <a href="/wiki/India%27s_freedom_struggle" class="mw-redirect" title="India's freedom struggle">India's freedom struggle</a> have been featured in recent years. Performances are no longer confined only to temples but are also held in secular venues such as colleges and at the <a href="/wiki/International_Film_Festival_of_Kerala" title="International Film Festival of Kerala">International Film Festival of Kerala</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-thehindu_a_5-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-thehindu_a-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-9"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-10"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="See_also">See also</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Tholpavakoothu&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: See also"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Nokkuvidya_pavakali" title="Nokkuvidya pavakali">Nokkuvidya pavakali</a></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Tholpavakoothu&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-keralatourism-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-keralatourism_1-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-keralatourism_1-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.keralatourism.org/kerala-article/216/tholpavakoothu-shadow-puppetry.php">"Tholpavakoothu"</a><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">4 December</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Tholpavakoothu&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.keralatourism.org%2Fkerala-article%2F216%2Ftholpavakoothu-shadow-puppetry.php&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ATholpavakoothu" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-puppetry-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-puppetry_2-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-puppetry_2-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://puppetry.org.in/reviving.html">"Reviving the ancient art of puppetry"</a>. <i>The Hindu</i>. 14 November 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">4 December</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Hindu&rft.atitle=Reviving+the+ancient+art+of+puppetry&rft.date=2009-11-14&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fpuppetry.org.in%2Freviving.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ATholpavakoothu" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-hindu-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-hindu_3-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-hindu_3-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20130125044810/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/09/05/stories/2008090550660500.htm">"Enchanting Tholpavakoothu"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/The_Hindu" title="The Hindu">The Hindu</a></i>. 5 September 2008. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/09/05/stories/2008090550660500.htm">the original</a> on 25 January 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">4 December</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Hindu&rft.atitle=Enchanting+Tholpavakoothu&rft.date=2008-09-05&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindu.com%2Ffr%2F2008%2F09%2F05%2Fstories%2F2008090550660500.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ATholpavakoothu" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-thehindu-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-thehindu_4-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-thehindu_4-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.thehindu.com/arts/theatre/article3527929.ece">"Fading away into the shadows"</a>. <i>The Hindu</i>. 14 June 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">4 December</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Hindu&rft.atitle=Fading+away+into+the+shadows&rft.date=2012-06-14&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Farts%2Ftheatre%2Farticle3527929.ece&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ATholpavakoothu" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-thehindu_a-5"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-thehindu_a_5-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-thehindu_a_5-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article1539041.ece">"Colourful tales from shadow puppets"</a>. <i>The Hindu</i>. 15 March 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">4 December</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Hindu&rft.atitle=Colourful+tales+from+shadow+puppets&rft.date=2011-03-15&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Ftodays-paper%2Ftp-national%2Ftp-kerala%2Farticle1539041.ece&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ATholpavakoothu" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-mykerala-6"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-mykerala_6-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-mykerala_6-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.mykerala.net/puppetry/index.html">"Tolpava Koothu - The Shadow Puppet Theatre of Kerala"</a><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">4 December</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Tolpava+Koothu+-+The+Shadow+Puppet+Theatre+of+Kerala&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mykerala.net%2Fpuppetry%2Findex.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ATholpavakoothu" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-7"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-7">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20081007002740/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/10/03/stories/2008100351230500.htm">"Shadow of the original"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/The_Hindu" title="The Hindu">The Hindu</a></i>. 3 October 2008. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/10/03/stories/2008100351230500.htm">the original</a> on 7 October 2008<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">4 December</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Hindu&rft.atitle=Shadow+of+the+original&rft.date=2008-10-03&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindu.com%2Ffr%2F2008%2F10%2F03%2Fstories%2F2008100351230500.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ATholpavakoothu" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-8"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-8">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100614104224/http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/08/stories/2010060855170300.htm">"Puppet show"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/The_Hindu" title="The Hindu">The Hindu</a></i>. 8 June 2010. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/08/stories/2010060855170300.htm">the original</a> on 14 June 2010<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">4 December</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Hindu&rft.atitle=Puppet+show&rft.date=2010-06-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindu.com%2F2010%2F06%2F08%2Fstories%2F2010060855170300.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ATholpavakoothu" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-9"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-9">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050510152050/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/06/23/stories/2003062301980200.htm">"Shadow of death over Tholpavakoothu"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/The_Hindu" title="The Hindu">The Hindu</a></i>. 23 June 2003. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/06/23/stories/2003062301980200.htm">the original</a> on 10 May 2005<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">4 December</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Hindu&rft.atitle=Shadow+of+death+over+Tholpavakoothu&rft.date=2003-06-23&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindu.com%2Fthehindu%2Fmp%2F2003%2F06%2F23%2Fstories%2F2003062301980200.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ATholpavakoothu" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-10"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-10">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.thehindu.com/arts/theatre/article427885.ece">"Shadow leather puppet play facing near death"</a>. <i>The Hindu</i>. 12 May 2010<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">4 December</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Hindu&rft.atitle=Shadow+leather+puppet+play+facing+near+death&rft.date=2010-05-12&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Farts%2Ftheatre%2Farticle427885.ece&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ATholpavakoothu" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> </ol></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="External_links">External links</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Tholpavakoothu&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: External links"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1235681985">.mw-parser-output .side-box{margin:4px 0;box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid 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data-file-height="1376" /></span></span></div> <div class="side-box-text plainlist">Wikimedia Commons has media related to <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Tholpavakoothu" class="extiw" title="commons:Category:Tholpavakoothu">Tholpavakoothu</a></span>.</div></div> </div> <ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://tholpavakoothu.in">tholpavakoothu.in</a> (Tholpavakoothu - A unique shadow puppet play)</li> <li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://puppetry.org.in">puppetry.org.in</a> (Tolpava Koothu - Homepage in memory of late Guru Krishnan Kutty Pulavar)</li> <li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140720081510/http://tholpavakoothu.org">tholpavakoothu.org</a> (Tholpava Koothu - The Shadow Puppet Play of Kerala, India (archived))</li></ul> <div class="navbox-styles"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1129693374">.mw-parser-output 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