Konkan Connect › Places to visit

Thakar Adivasi Kala Angan, Pinguli

Heritage · Kudal, Sindhudurg

A museum and workshop of the Thakar community's folk arts, including Chitrakathi paintings and puppetry, at Pinguli near Kudal.

Pinguli, on the edge of Kudal, is home to the Thakar community, whose families have kept alive old folk arts of the Konkan: Chitrakathi picture storytelling, leather shadow puppets, string puppets and traditional songs. The Thakar Adivasi Kala Angan was set up by artist Parshuram Gangavane to preserve and show these arts, and his work was honoured with the Padma Shri.

The museum displays painted Chitrakathi pictures, which were once carried from village to village to tell stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, along with puppets, masks and musical instruments. When artists are present, visitors can see the puppets performed and learn how the paintings are made.

It is a rare chance to see living folk traditions up close, and a meaningful stop for families and anyone interested in Konkan culture.

Call ahead if you want to see a performance, and ask before photographing the artists and their work.

Best time to visit

All year.

How to reach

At Pinguli, on the edge of Kudal near the highway. Nearest railway station: Kudal.

Places nearby

• Laxmi Narayan Temple, Walawal
• Dhamapur Lake
• Saint Bhalchandra Maharaj Ashram, Kankavli

Facts: Wikidata (CC0) and OpenStreetMap; map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.