Purisai Kannappa Sambandhan
Padma Shri Awardee · Therukoothu Artist · Purisai Lineage
A Life in Therukoothu
Purisai Kannappa Sambandhan is one of the foremost exponents of Therukoothu, a traditional Tamil performance practice rooted in community, storytelling, and embodied knowledge.
Born in 1953, he is a fifth-generation artist of the Purisai lineage, carrying forward a system of performance sustained through inheritance, discipline, and lived practice. As the son of Kalaimamani Purisai Kannappa Thambiran, his training began within the structure of the lineage itself; where knowledge is transmitted not through formal instruction alone, but through observation, repetition, and immersion.
He has been performing since 1977, taking on principal roles within the Therukoothu repertoire, and is widely recognised for his versatility and command over performance.
The Purisai Tradition
The Purisai school of Therukoothu, based in Tamil Nadu, India, is among the most respected lineages sustaining this form.
Within this tradition, performance is not interpreted as theatre in the conventional sense. It is a complete system, bringing together:
- narrative drawn from epics
- vocal expression
- costume and transformation
- rhythmic movement
The performer does not represent the character. He becomes it.
This approach defines the work of Sambandhan Ayya, whose practice reflects a deep alignment between body, voice, and costume.
Practice and Expansion
While rooted in tradition, his work has also engaged with contemporary theatre contexts.
He has participated in workshops conducted by leading theatre practitioners such as Bansi Kaul, Badal Sircar, and Ingbor Mayor, expanding the scope of Therukoothu without altering its foundational structure.
His practice has extended into:
- directing Therukoothu adaptations of global literary works
- choreographing collaborations across theatre forms
- conducting workshops in institutions, including the National School of Drama, New Delhi
These engagements situate Therukoothu within a wider global performance discourse, while maintaining its integrity as a traditional practice.
Global Presence
Over the decades, Sambandhan Ayya has performed extensively across India and internationally, taking Therukoothu beyond its regional context.
His work has been presented in:
- France
- Sweden
- Singapore
- Colombia
- the United States
These performances have introduced Therukoothu to global audiences not as an adaptation, but as a living performance tradition.
Image courtesy: Indianostrum Théâtre
Recognition
His contribution to Therukoothu and Indian performance traditions has been widely recognised.
He has received:
- Padma Shri (2025)
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2012)
- Kalaimamani Award (1995)
- Honorary Doctorate from Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Music and Fine Arts University (2020)
Along with several other recognitions across cultural and artistic institutions.
Engagement with the Studio
The work of Purisai Kannappa Sambandhan is central to the studio’s engagement with Therukoothu.
Through direct interaction with the Purisai lineage, the studio has observed and documented:
- performance preparation
- costume construction and transformation
- the relationship between body and narrative
This engagement informed the development of the Purisai collection, presented at London Fashion Week, where Therukoothu was brought into a contemporary fashion context through live performance.
Video Documentation
The practice of Sambandhan Ayya and the Purisai lineage has been documented through a series of recordings, including performance excerpts, conversations, and preparation processes.
- LFW Therukoothu performance BTS
- Conversations with Sambandhan Ayya
- Costume and transformation processes
Continuity
Therukoothu continues through practice.
The work of Sambandhan Ayya reflects not only preservation but also continuity, where a tradition is carried forward through performance across generations, without separation from its origins.
About the Studio
Vino Supraja is a Dubai-based craft-led, sustainable, and ethical fashion designer known for couture and red-carpet work rooted in heritage textiles. The studio works at the intersection of craft, culture, and contemporary fashion, engaging directly with cultural practitioners and artisan communities.