Kanimangalam, Thrissur, 10th October 2026: As part of Wildlife Week 2026, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), in collaboration with the Seed Club and Eco Club of Sree Narayana Boys High School, Kanimangalam, organised a traditional Tholpavakoothu (shadow puppetry) performance to raise awareness among students about whale shark conservation. 

Puppet artist, Rajeev Pulavar interacting with the students | Photo © Team WTI

The programme was inaugurated by renowned Tholpavakoothu artist Rajeev Pulavar, son of Padma Shri Ramachandra Pulavar, who received the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2021. Sindhu K M, Headmistress of SN Boys High School, welcomed the gathering.

 The students were introduced to different types of traditional puppets and gained insights into the relevance of visual art forms in contemporary education. Often described as one of the earliest forms of visual storytelling, Tholpavakoothu has traditionally portrayed stories from Indian epics and mythology. The performance presented a contemporary approach to this traditional art form by incorporating the theme of whale shark conservation.

Through engaging storytelling,  students learnt about the importance of protecting whale sharks and the role of coastal communities in their conservation. Students and teachers from both Sree Narayana  Boys High School and Sree Narayana Girls High School participated in the programme, making the performance an interactive learning experience.

Students of Kannimagalam School with the puppetry team | Photo © Team WTI

The event also highlighted how traditional art forms can serve as effective tools for wildlife education, connecting cultural heritage to contemporary conservation challenges and inspiring young people to appreciate and protect marine biodiversity.

Through this initiative, WTI continued its efforts to engage students in wildlife conservation by combining traditional art, creative storytelling and environmental education, bringing the message of whale shark protection to the next generation.