The woman reimagining Kattaikoothu for a warming world
Thilagavathi Palani, a professional Kattaikoothu performer, is using the traditional Tamil folk theatre to raise awareness about climate change and extreme heat. By involving schoolchildren in her productions, she aims to make the message more relatable to communities in the drought-prone districts of Ranipet and Tiruvannamalai.
Why it matters
It highlights the intersection of traditional arts and modern climate advocacy, demonstrating how cultural heritage can be repurposed to address contemporary environmental crises.
The stage is set as it has been for years, with music, colourful costumes, and dramatic dialogue. However, there are no demons to slay or kingdoms to defend. Instead, the story unfolds around an invisible enemy that people from across Tamil Nadu know all too well: blistering heat.
It is an unlikely story for Kattaikoothu , the centuries-old Tamil folk theatre that has long drawn from the Mahabharata and other epics. But for Thilagavathi Palani, using the art form to talk about contemporary issues is nothing new. Over the years, she has staged productions on anaemia, leprosy, gender equality, and other social issues.
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