Performance Artist

K S Khande Ramadas is a tholu bommalata artist from Dharamavaram in Andhra Pradesh. He was initiated into puppetry by his father in 1991, at the age of 17. His father performed in small villages around Ananthapuram and there was sustained income from the art form, which reduced with time. Later, the Ministry of Textiles identified tholu bommalata as a handicrafts tradition in decline and supported it with funds and training. K Ramadas has trained about 25 families in making traditional leather puppetry. He has performed in Delhi, Mumbai, Surat and Australia as well. Along with his family members, Ramadas runs ‘Kanakadurga tollubommala Panivayala Samshema Sangam’ to create awareness about this folk art. Recognising his contributions to performing arts, Ramadas was awarded Dakshina Chitra Virudhu in 2004. He makes, exhibits and sells tholu bommas at handicrafts exhibitions and expos as well.

Accompanying artists: Khande Srinath, Khande Ramanjaneyulu, Khande Gangadhara, Vanarasa Aravindamma, and Shinde Srinivasulu