700-year-old puppet art brings Maveli’s Onam story alive in Kerala capital

The story of Mahabali, aka Maveli, is nothing new for Malayalis, but what if it's narrated with the accompaniment of shadows, leather puppets, oil lamps, and music? That's what Keralites get to experience from Onam day this year, in Thiruvananthapuram. From Onam eve onwards, the performance will unfold for a week at the capital's 'Nishagandhi', an open auditorium. The show is led by tholpavakoothu exponent and Padma Shri awardee Ramachandra Pulavar with seven other artistes.

What is tholpavakoothu?
Tholpavakoothu, a traditional form of shadow puppetry prevalent in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is believed to be at least 700 years old. Traditionally performed as a ritual offering in Bhagavathy temples, the art form is particularly associated with northern Palakkad and adjoining regions.

At the heart of this tradition are the 'Pulavars'- scholars and performers who possess extensive knowledge of the art and have kept its intricate techniques, stories and musical traditions alive. Ramachandra Pulavar, who received the Padma Shri in 2021 for his contributions to Tholpavakoothu, belongs to a lineage of artistes dedicated to preserving this distinctive shadow-puppetry tradition.

The ritual's origins are intertwined with mythology. According to legend, Tholpavakoothu was performed at the request of Goddess Bhadrakali, who could not witness Lord Rama's victory over the ten-headed demon king Ravana because she was engaged in a battle with Darika, whom she later defeated.

Centuries later, the same tradition continues to tell stories of gods, kings, sacrifice and devotion -- but its most beloved figure during Onam remains Mahabali, the ruler remembered not for his power, but for his bond with his people.

As the puppets move behind the screen and their shadows dance in the flickering light of oil lamps, the performance offers something beyond spectacle -- a moment where mythology, memory and living tradition come together to tell an old story to a new generation.

A centuries-old tradition
For the artistes, it is more than a performance. It is a centuries-old tradition being carried forward from one generation to another. Around 80 traditional leather puppets have been specially used for the presentation. Behind a white screen, the puppets move to create silhouettes of Mahabali, Vamana and other characters in connection with the Onam legend, while the warm glow of traditional oil lamps lends an almost magical quality to the unfolding tale.

The story traces Mahabali's golden reign and his unwavering commitment to the welfare of his subjects, the growing concern of the gods, the arrival of Vamana, the incarnation of lord Vishnu, Mahabali's sacrifice and his journey to the netherworld. It culminates in the cherished Onam belief that the beloved king returns once every year to see his people.
(With PTI inputs)