THOLPAVAKOOTHU
It
is said to have originated in the 18
th century is also known as pavakoothu
(puppet play) or nizhalattam (shadow play). This entertainment art is performed
on a special stage called koothumadam in the temple courtyard. Puppets (pavakal),
usually representing four characters from the Ramayana, are arranged behind
a long white screen, in front of bright wick lamps. The puppets made of deer
skin are made to dance to songs from the Kamba Ramayana (the Tamil version of
the epic). The performance starts late at night and continues up to daybreak.
