Tholu Bommalata: stories in leather and light

Indian artist Kanday Anjanappa practises Tholu Bommalata, a centuries-old South Indian tradition of creating leather puppets for shadow theatre. During the live demonstration at Homo Faber 2026, Kanday will craft an Upvan from leather, a garden with blossoms and wildlife. Visitors will follow the process through sketching, colouring, punching and cutting the leather, seeing the decorative forms gradually come to life.

Exhibitor

Kanday Anjannapa

Leather artist | Mysore, India