Mastering Pavakathakali: Traditional Hand Puppet Workshop
A two-week intensive deep dive into Kerala's traditional hand puppet art. From wood carving to costume stitching, learn to create and perform with authentic Pavakathakali puppets under expert guidance.
An announcement for our two-week Pavakathakali hand puppet workshop. This poster features images of the unpainted and painted wooden heads, showing the transformation that participants will learn to achieve.
Day 1 of our intensive Pavakathakali workshop begins with an inauguration ceremony. This video captures the festive start, with esteemed guests and participants gathered among the raw materials and finished puppets.
On Day 2, participants learn about the Natyashastra's traditional color theories for different characters. The video shows the basics of hand puppet play and the vibrant jewellery accessories used in Kathakali costumes.
Days 3 and 4 are focused on wood carving. Our master craftsman teaches participants how to hold chisels, carve facial features, and even design wooden jewellery, as seen by the row of finished heads and hands.
A look at the beautifully costumed Pavakathakali puppets created during our workshop. This video shows the finished characters on display, a culmination of weeks of carving, painting, and stitching by the participants.
The valedictory function of our Pavakathakali workshop. This video shows the participants proudly displaying their completed puppets alongside our founder and guests of honor.
About Mastering the Craft: The Pavakathakali Workshop
This is not a quick craft session. Over two weeks, you will work with raw materials, learning the specific Natyashastra-based color theories and carving techniques that give these puppets their traditional expression. You leave not just with a finished puppet, but with the foundation of an ancient performance tradition.
Pavakathakali, the hand puppetry tradition of Kerala, is a complex art form. This workshop is designed to demystify that complexity by taking you through every stage of creation.
The process begins with the wood. Under the guidance of our master craftsman, you will learn the weight and grain of the wood, and how to hold chisels to carve out eyes, noses, and expressions that hold character. It is physically engaging work that requires patience and precision.
Once the form is carved, we move to the Natyashastra. You will study traditional color theory to paint faces, learning why specific characters require specific palettes. This is followed by stitching and costuming, where you assemble the fabric and jewellery to match the authentic look of a Kathakali performer.
By the final days, the focus shifts to manipulation. A puppet is only as alive as the person behind it. You will learn to use traditional tala systems to give your puppet movement and voice, preparing it for the final performance.
This workshop is held at the Mandala Cultural Centre, providing a focused environment away from the city's noise. It is suitable for serious hobbyists, art students, and anyone committed to preserving Indian cultural narratives. Whether you have experience in fine arts or are picking up a chisel for the first time, our goal is to help you connect with the rasānanda—the joy of aesthetic experience—inherent in this craft.
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