K. K. Ramachandra Pulavar

K. K. Ramachandra Pulavar (born 20 May 1960) is a Tholpavakoothu (a type of shadow puppetry) artist from Kerala, India. He used the Tholpavakoothu, which was confined to temple art, as public performances, and even to address socio-political issues including HIV awareness and COVID-19 awareness. He received many awards including the Padma Shri and Kerala Folklore Academy Award, in recognition of his work in the field of arts. In 2015 Ramachandra Pulavar received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to Tholpavakoothu.

On Tholpavakoothu, he has authored two books, Shadow Puppet in Kerala in English and Tholpavakoothu in Malayalam.

Biography

Ramachandra Pulavar was born on 25 May 1960 in Shoranur, Palakkad district, Kerala. Ramachandra Pulavar was born in a family of puppet artists. He is the son of famous Tholpavakoothu artist K.L. Krishnankutty Pulavar. At the age of eight, he learned puppetry lessons from his father. At the age of 10, he made his debut at Aryankav Bhagavathy temple in Kavalapara.

Personal life Ramachandra Pulavar and his wife Rajalakshmi have three children: Rajeev, Rahul, and Rajitha. Gandhi Koothu (life of Mahatma Gandhi), yeshu Koothu (life of Jesus), Mahabali Charitam (life of Mahabali), Chandalabhikshuki (poem of Kumaran Asan, HIV Awareness, Corona Koothu (COVID-19 awareness), etc. are some of his non-ritual Tholpavakoothus.

Awards and honors From the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Ramachandra Pulavar received Junior Fellowship in 1991 and Senior Fellowship in 2004. He also received many awards including the Thailand Government Award (2011), Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Award (2011), Kerala Folklore Academy Award (2012), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Kalashree Puraskar (2013) and Padma Shri Award 2021, in recognition of his work in the field of arts. In 2015 Ramachandra Pulavar received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to Tholpavakoothu.