Tholubommalata The Folk Performance
Tholubommalata the Folk Performance:
Tholubommalata is an ancient traditional art performance of travelling artists. In the olden days, this art was the main entertainment programme for the people. Nowadays, the performers of Tholubommalata are very rare in the way of declining. Perhaps some social organizations tried to aid the artists whose lives depended on performing Tholubommalata.
This is a shadow puppet show performed by artists who travel from one village to another. Their existence depended on this art performance. Generally, puppets are made with various animal skins. These hides are tanned, translucent, and cut into different shapes and sizes. The sizes range from one to six feet depending on the age and nature of the characters. These puppets have joints at the shoulders, elbow and hip, all secured for manipulation by a string.
The performance of Tholubommalata:
During the performance of Tholubommalata, the artists prepare the traditional shadow theatre to present the version with poetic form. Another exciting activity during the show is While the artists play the puppets, the other sect of artists give their voices to the tools. Due to the different voice modulation, each character has its artist to provide the voice.
In the villages, generally, the performance starts at night, around 9 P.M. and lasts through the night. The troupe of shadow puppeteers consists of eight to twelve artists. The group will have at least two women in singing and speaking female roles. Two men for male roles and three instrument artists start playing the harmonium, Sruthi and Cymbals. One assistant uses a short supply of puppets and maintains the lamps.
Also, Read the Kolattam Folk dance of Andhra Pradesh.
Usually, the artists select an open place in the village for the stage, planting four bamboo sticks to form a rectangular shape with a cloth tied to the poles. The artists stood behind the white fabric and performed the puppets.
The group will have at least two women in singing and speaking female roles. Two men for male roles and three instrument artists start playing the harmonium, Sruthi and Cymbals. One assistant uses a short supply of puppets and maintains the lamps. Usually, the artists select an open place in the village for the stage, planting four bamboo sticks to form a rectangular shape with cloth tied to the poles. The artists stood behind the white fabric and performed the puppets.
The Theme of the plays:
Generally, the artists adopt the Theme for the performance from the Hindu epics of Ramayana, Mahabharata, and local legends. The artists add their humour and wisecracks to appease the audience. The artists wander from one village to another for nine months to perform the Tholubommalata.
The decline of Tholubommalata
The advent of televisions and cinemas has made people turn away from traditional performing arts. The landlords and headmen no longer patronize artists like in the past. This event made folk artists move away from the traditional arts and migrate to other occupations.