K. Vishwanatha Pulavar
K. Vishwanatha Pulavar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 31 May 1963 Koonathara, Palakkad district, Kerala |
| Known for | Tholpavakoothu |
| Awards | Kerala Folklore Academy Award (2013) Kerala Folklore Academy Fellowship (2021) Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2022) |
K. Vishwanatha Pulavar (born 31 May 1963) is a Tholpavakoothu (a type of shadow puppetry) artist from Kerala, India. He is known for his contributions to the promotion and preservation of the Tholpaavakoothu. In 2023, he received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2022 for his contributions to Tholpaavakoothu.
Biography
Vishwanatha Pulavar was born on 31 May 1963 in Koonathara, Palakkad district, Kerala, into a family of traditional Tholpaavakoothu artists.[1] He received training in Tholpavakoothu from his father K.L. Krishnankutty Pulavar, the founder of Tholpavakoothu Sangam, which works for the promotion of Tholpavakoothu.[1] His brothers K. K. Ramachandra Pulavar and Lakshmana Pulavar are Tholpavakoothu artists.[2] His wife Pushpalatha and his son Vipin Vishwanatha Pulavar are also Tholpavakoothu artists.[3][4][5]
Apart from performing arts, Vishwanatha Pulavar also works Indian postal department as a postmaster in Koonathara.[6]
Artistic career and contributions
Vishwanatha Pulavar has contributed in popularizing Tholpavakoothu, which was confined to temples in Kerala, and bringing it to modern venues.[7] He has performed in various states of India, as well as in Sweden, Singapore, Japan, Ireland, and Germany.[1] He has performed more than 5000 performances.[6] He has also conducted various workshops and exhibitions on this traditional art form.[1]
Apart from the traditional Kambaramayanam, he has also presented the biography of Mahatma Gandhi, the Mahabharata, the biography of Sri Buddha, social awareness issues, etc. through Tholpavakkoothu.[8]
Awards and recognitions
Vishwanatha Pulavar, who won the Kerala State Folklore Academy Award in 2013, has also received the Folklore Academy Fellowship in 2021.[1] In 2023, he received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for the year 2022 for his contributions to Tholpavakkoothu.[9] He received the Guru Pooja Award of the Kerala State Kshetrakala Academy in 2024.[10]
The film Nizhalattam, which has the central theme of Tholpavakoothu, is based on the life of Vishwanatha Pulavar.[11] Its premiere show was held at the 2023 Kochi-Muziris Biennale.[11]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2022 and 2023" (PDF). Press information bureau, Government of India. p. 54.
- ↑ IS, Gopika (23 July 2019). "On revival mode to fulfill a tholpavakoothu dream". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ Dinesh, Arya P. (8 June 2017). "Tholpaavakoothu Sangam on their upcoming show in Kochi". IndulgExpress.
- ↑ "Tholpaavakoothu: The vanishing art of shadow leather puppetry". 27 December 2020.
- ↑ B, Parvana K. (17 January 2024). "A family's journey to preserve and popularise Tholpavakoothu tradition". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- 1 2 Kandukuri, Divya (30 January 2013). "Of shadows and puppets". The New Indian Express.
- ↑ "Fading away into the shadows". The Hindu. 14 June 2012.
- ↑ "Vishwanath Pulavar turns the life of Sri Buddha into Tholpaavakkoot". suprabhaatham (in Malayalam).
- ↑ "Bombay Jayashree and Margi Vijayakumar receive awards; Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Awards 2023 announced". Samakalika Malayalam - The New Indian Express (in Malayalam). 28 February 2024.
- ↑ "Samsanthana Kshetrakala Akademi Awards 2024 announced | Kshetrakala awards | Madhyamam". www.madhyamam.com (in Malayalam). 30 August 2024.
- 1 2 "Nizhalazham | കൊച്ചി ബിനാലെയിൽ ആദ്യമായി സിനിമയുടെ ഫസ്റ്റ് ഷോ; 'നിഴലാഴം' പ്രദർശിപ്പിച്ചു". News18 Malayalam (in Malayalam).