How this Tholpavakoothu institute in Palakkad is giving a major fillip to the art form

Dusk settles in. A fabric cloth is stretched crossed the stage. Behind it, 21 lamps flicker with flames swaying and occasionally flaring. That is erstwhile the communicative of Maya Sita, an illusory treble of Sita from aboriginal Ramayana adaptations, begins to unfold.

Ram’s exile from Ayodhya, his encounters with Mareech and Shoorpanakha successful the forest, his confederation with Bali, the last conflict with Ravana, and Sita’s proceedings by occurrence — each infinitesimal plays retired done puppets.