PAVA KATHAKALI

About:

• Region: Pavakathakali (glove puppet kathakali) is a Traditional glove puppet theatre from Kerala in south-west India.
  
  
• Origin: It was probably born in the 18th century, one hundred years after the blossoming of kathakali (lit. “story play”).
  
  
• Performers: Pavakathakali performers from the Andipandaram community belong to a small number of families from the Paruthippuly village in the Palghat (Palakkad) region.
  
  
• Features: The pavakathakali puppets measure between 40 and 60 centimetres in height. The finely sculpted head and arms are attached by thick cotton knots on a small bag.
  
  
• Theme: Local puppeteers to dress their puppets in kathakali costumes and adopt the themes of the attakatha, the stage interpretations of this drama.
  
  
• Musical instruments: The musical instruments – the same as used for kathakali – are comprised of a chenda, chengila, illetalam and shankh and accompany one or two singers. The minimum number of puppeteers to perform a show is six.
  
  
• Stage: When the nilavilaku (copper lamp) is lit in the courtyard, the puppeteers sit on the ground and start the performance. There is no barrier between them and the spectators.