Believed to have originated in the 9th or 10th century A.D., Tholpavakoothu is a sacred art form performed annually in temples as a festival dedicated to Goddess Bhadra Kali. This mesmerizing shadow puppet play is based on the Kamba Ramayana and is traditionally performed in Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and English. Rooted in Indian mythology, Tholpavakoothu is believed to have been created for Goddess Bhadra Kali, who missed witnessing the battle between Sree Rama and Ravana due to her own fight against the demon king Darikasura. To appease her, Lord Shiva directed that the Ramayana battle be enacted on earth through puppetry a tradition that continues to this day.

This rare and unique blend of shadow puppetry, narration, and music brings to life the timeless stories of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, portraying the eternal struggle between good and evil. Rahul Koonathara, an accomplished artist and a 12th generation shadow puppet practitioner, has dedicated his life to preserving and showcasing this extraordinary art form on national and international platforms.