Therukoothu: Tamil Nadu's Traditional Street Theatre

In 2014, I photographed a Therukoothu performance in Nangamangalam, near Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. Performed through the night in village streets and open spaces, Therukoothu is one of Tamil Nadu's oldest surviving forms of folk theatre, combining music, dance, storytelling, and drama.

The name Therukoothu literally means "street play." For centuries, these performances have brought stories from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Tamil folklore to village audiences. More than entertainment, Therukoothu preserves oral traditions and continues to play an important role in the cultural life of rural Tamil Nadu.

These photographs document the performers, their expressive costumes and makeup, and the atmosphere of an art form that has been passed down through generations.