Understanding
What it really is
Leather is a natural material created through the treatment and preservation of animal hide. Its strength, flexibility, and responsiveness to tools make it one of the most enduring materials across craft traditions.
In the context of traditional practices, leather is not merely a raw resource but a medium that carries transformation. It undergoes processes of curing, drying, and finishing, each step influencing its texture, translucency, and durability.
In shadow puppetry traditions such as Tholpavakoothu, leather takes on a distinct role. Treated and perforated with intricate detailing, it becomes both surface and structure — capable of holding light, color, and movement simultaneously. This transformation allows the material to move beyond utility into narrative, where it becomes a carrier of story and symbolism.
Connections
