Watch the therukoothu play ‘Panchali Sabatham’ in Coimbatore

The street play Panchali Sabatham originally lasts an entire night. “It is usually performed from 10.30pm and goes on till 6am the next day,” says therukoothu veteran PK Sambandan. The 72-year-old, who runs the Purisai Duraisamy Kannappa Thambiran Therukoothu troupe in Purisai village in Thiruvannamalai district, is bringing the play to the city this weekend. The play is being organised and performed by city-based Udalveli Arts Foundation in association with Purisai Duraisamy Kannappa Thambiran Parambarai Therukoothu Manram, and is produced by Chennai-based Ilulu, a collective that aims at providing economic stability for artistes. “Yes,” says Sambandan, adding that their play will depict Panchali’s story, starting with Duryodhana’s game of dice through which he defeats the Pandavas, getting them to bet everything in their hands, including their wife.