Tholu Bommalata

 

Region – Andhra Pradesh , Telangana
Tholu Bommalata, meaning “dance of leather puppets” in Telugu, is a 2,000-year-old shadow puppetry tradition of Andhra Pradesh. Artists craft colorful leather puppets and animate them behind a lit screen to narrate mythological tales and folklore. This art form is not only entertainment but also a spiritual and cultural expression, often performed during temple festivals and village gatherings. Today, it remains a living heritage, especially practiced in Nimmalakunta village.