Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) | As Kerala gets ready to welcome mythical king Mahabali once again as part of annual Onam celebrations, an age-old art form will bring the demon king alive through a world of shadows, oil lamps, leather puppets and music.

From the eve of auspicious Thiruvonam, the story of Mahabali will unfold for a week at 'Nishagandhi', an open auditorium, here through 'Mahabali Charitam', a Tholpavakoothu (leather puppet show) performance led by exponent Ramachandra Pulavar, offering audiences a glimpse into Keralam's rich folklore and performing arts tradition.

The performance will feature exponent Ramachandra Pulavar, a Padma Shri awardee, and seven other artistes, who will weave together traditional puppet-making, storytelling, music, percussion and the distinctive play of light that gives Tholpavakoothu its haunting visual charm.

The performance is staged here as part of the state government's week-long Onam celebrations, official sources said here on Tuesday.

For the artistes, it is more than a performance. It is a centuries-old tradition being carried forward from one generation to another.

Around 80 traditional leather puppets have been specially used for the presentation. Behind a white screen, the puppets move to create silhouettes of Mahabali, Vamana and other characters in connection with the Onam legend, while the warm glow of traditional oil lamps lends an almost magical quality to the unfolding tale.

The story traces Mahabali's golden reign and his unwavering commitment to the welfare of his subjects, the growing concern of the gods, the arrival of Vamana, the incarnation of lord Vishnu, Mahabali's sacrifice and his journey to the netherworld.

It culminates in the cherished Onam belief that the beloved king returns once every year to see his people.

Tholpavakoothu, a traditional form of shadow puppetry prevalent in Keralam and Tamil Nadu, is believed to have a history of at least 700 years.

Traditionally performed as a ritual offering in Bhagavathy temples, the art form is particularly associated with northern Palakkad and adjoining regions.

At the heart of this tradition are the 'Pulavars'- scholars and performers who possess extensive knowledge of the art and have kept its intricate techniques, stories and musical traditions alive.

Ramachandra Pulavar, who received the Padma Shri in 2021 in recognition of his contributions to Tholpavakoothu, belongs to a lineage of artistes dedicated to preserving the distinctive shadow-puppetry tradition.

The origins of the ritual are intertwined with mythology. According to legend, Tholpavakoothu was performed at the request of Goddess Bhadrakali, who was unable to witness Lord Rama's victory over the ten-headed demon king Ravana because she was engaged in a battle with Darika, whom she later defeated.

Centuries later, the same tradition continues to tell stories of gods, kings, sacrifice and devotion -- but its most beloved figure during Onam remains Mahabali, the ruler remembered not for his power, but for his bond with his people.

As the puppets move behind the screen and their shadows dance in the flickering light of oil lamps, the performance offers something beyond spectacle -- a moment where mythology, memory and living tradition come together to tell an old story to a new generation.