The authorities launched a three-day Tholpavakoothu (puppetry using leather puppets) here on Wednesday to create voter awareness across the district.
The show as part of the SVEEP (Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation) scheme, in association with the District Information Office, attracted good crowds when District Collector D. Balamurali inaugurated it at the stadium bus-stand.
Mr. Balamurali exhorted people never to miss their valuable votes.
He expressed hope that better awareness through art forms such as Tholpavakoothu would influence people and there would be an increase in voting percentage.
Award-winning artistes
The show will be held in different parts of the district covering the Palakkad and Alathur Lok Sabha constituencies on Thursday and Friday.
The Tholpavakoothu Kalakendram, Shoranur, has joined hands with the Samanwaya Pavanataka Sangham, Ayanchery, to present the show.
Tholpavakoothu exponent Rajeev Pulavar, winner of the Ustad Bismilla Khan Award, is leading the show.
During the day, the puppetry will be performed using chords, and in the night it will be shadow puppetry. Shows were held at Palakkad, Malampuzha, Kongad, and Mannarkkad on Wednesday. The puppets reminded the viewers of the importance voting and voting methods.
They spoke of electronic voting machines and voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT), and also of the ID proof to be kept in hand while going to vote.
The show will be held in the Tarur, Alathur, Nemmara, and Chittur Assembly constituencies on Thursday.