Tholpavakoothu Kerala Puppetry School

You can explore one of the greatest traditional art form in the world here!!
They keep great old traditions over 1,000 years, also new challenges for the future.

They have nice guest rooms with beautiful family members, and, incredibly delicious dishes from big mother!

We had unforgettable beautiful experiences here.
Thank you very much and we are sure to visit them again soooooooon‼‼

An excellent display of art conveying mythology, epics and stories from all around the world. Extremely vibrant and engaging. The details in the puppets are so intricate and beautiful. The guide was very patient and willing to take us through every detail of the art form. It was a pleasure to be able to witness this art form!!

Ram is a wonderful puppeteer and host! We are so happy this school is here, spreading the appreciation of the traditional puppetry of Kerala, and training the next generation of puppeteers. If you can visit and help support, you should!!!

If you are an artist you must know about the unique art form thank you so much dear Rajeev Pulaver 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I visited Tholpavakooth puppetry school for a internship program, it was a great experience. Rajeev sir and Ramachandra sir helped me a alot for my work , they teached me how to make a tholpava , and gave a detailed information about the Tholpavakooth. I'm glad that I visited this place, I feel like a home and my internship went well. Thankyou so much Rajeev sir and Ramachandra sir for spending time with me between your busy schedule and thankyou Rajeev sir's mother for the tea😊. The people who love art ,craft and culture should definitely visit this place, this place is for you.

We visited the place as a part of our field trip.Within the two hours we spent there, we were able to see different types of tholpava, tholpavakoothu show, and to understand the history of tholpavakoothu. We also got an opportunity to meet two German artists and their show, who came to learn about our tholpavakoothu. It was a good experience for us to remember for ever.

I have booked the Shadow Puppetry for an awareness programme in Food Safety for the Dept of Kerala. They did a very amazing job par excellence than what we could think ever think of. They amazed us with their gifted talents. If Covid had not hit they would have got a few more stages in our dept.

The 3hours I spent there was very precious. Padmashree Ramachandra Pulavar and his son Rajeev Pulavar patiently explained everything about Tholpaavakoothu. I got to see various skin puppets and the way they work with it to make a puppet. The process I felt was so meditative. Also I got to see the puppets play in the koothmaadam. And the umpteen books of shadow puppetry help one in understanding more. A precious place with very beautiful people.

Had a wonderful experience visiting this place. Rajeev sir had given us a very detailed explanation of the puppetry art forms and had demonstrated it right infront of us which made our day. They helped us to know more about the art form. Please try to visit you will have a wonderful experience.

I have fond memories of Tholpavakkooth from my childhood. I used to go and watch koothu during the 21 days of Ariyankavu temple festival. It was playing every day early in the morning.
The oldest traditional artform Tholpavakkooth is not just a visual art. This is something so divining and disciplined art form. It was a great privilege for me to be able to see this art form up close. Tholpavakkooth Kalakendram is very near to my home and Mr. Rajeev is very good friend of mine. I got a great opportunity to do a project in Mohiniyattam alongside of Tholpavakkooth with the guidance of Tholpavakkooth Acharyan Sri. Padmasri Ramachandra Pulavar.
Everyone should experience at least once in their life time to know the rich culture of our traditions like Tholpavakkooth. Their immense support to know more about the stories and behind the scene work are commendable. Also, the hospitality there feels like home.
I wish all the success for reach this great art form to our next generation of children and society.

It was a wonderful experience. Our traditions are beautifully curated here.
World pioneers in shadow puppetry.
Respected Padmasri.Ramachandra Pulavar and dear Rajiv Pulavar are the masters behind this.Great effort.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍

I had visted Mr Rajeev Pulavar and his family to study about their artform in 2021. I made multiple visits and tried to uncover as many details possible about this ancient and soulful craft of shadow puppetry. My interest in the project was to address the problems of the craftsmen and to find something unique in their works that can then be presented to the world. It was an act of seeding an idea to create something commemorative of tholpavakuth with all the uniqueness and heart if the pulavar family. What I gained from my visits were a lot of interaction and insight into the history of the craft and the countless hours of craftsmanship poured into upholding tholpavakuth tradition over the years.
Their ideas and visions for their craft are progressive and they strive to leave a mark in the age of information. They are coming up with new methods and devices for enhancing the stories they tell and they’re pushing the boundaries of tradition to make products that are eponymous with the Pulavar family’s piece de resistance.

It would be an exciting and edifying experience for all those who choose to spend time at the tholpavakuth kalakendra. One can also interact with the performers and have a peek at what goes on behind the canvas. As much as it is a feast for the eyes and mind it is also an enriching experience.

Fantastic experience to visit this place. The people are very hospitable and do a great job at educating you about this amazing art form. Well worth a visit.

I visited Tholpavakoothu Kalakendram, Koonathara with my family. It was an amazing experience for us. Padmasree Ramachandra Pulvar and his sons are leading this show. He explained very well about the art form of "Tholpavakoothu" and also performed a small portion for us. It was really nice experience for us, especially my 9 year old son enjoyed really well. I would recommend this as a must visit place for those who love to see an old art form

I visited Tholpavakoothu centre as a part of my thesis project and thanks to Rajeev pulavar sir for giving a chance to know more about Tholpavakoothu artform, for sharing it's behind hardwork and passion they follow. It was a memorable experience and helpful for my project too.

It was a very good experience. They were told about puppet like a family member. We were also able to do it. Thank you very much.

I had a splendid experience watching this heritage Artform of Kerala....Thanks to Ashaan n sons for their continuous efforts of preserving and propogating this Artform .

I really admire the way Padmasree Ramachandra Pulavar and family preserve the true essence of Shadow puppetry. I had an opportunity to spent almost 4 hours to experience and understand the efforts, history and the future of puppetry. I must say, if you get a chance go and experience it.

Padmashree Ramachandra Pulavar and his son’s Mr Rajeev and Mr Rahul were very welcoming they beautifully performed and explained the art form.
This visit to the tholpavakuthu centre is the main highlight of my trip to shornur.
It is a wonderful form of ancient puppetry.
Highly recommended if one visits shornur.

Yesterday I visited Tholpavakooth padana kedram in ottapalam. Itwas a delightful experience for my family and me. Rajeev sir's insightful explanations about various puppetry styles, such as shadow puppetry and string puppetry, truly enriched our understanding of this traditional art form. The highlight of the show was when Rajeev sir offered me the opportunity to engage in shadow puppetry, allowing us to experience the magic firsthand. This interactive element made the show even more engaging and memorable . We left the place with full satisfaction