Tholpavakoothu is a form of shadow puppetry unique to central Kerala, in southern India. It is performed in permanent temple theatres as a form of ritual primarily honouring the Goddess of Bhadrakali. It enacts the Hindu epic Ramayana in a version based on the Tamil Ramayana of Kambar. A highly flexible narrative allows a typical cycle of Tholpavakoothu to extend between seven and twenty-one nights, depending on the performance commissioned and sponsored locally. After remaining largely unknown to the West, until the twentieth century, recent scholarship has established its ancient beginnings, while also highlighting the absence of a detailed account of the art in performance over centuries of its existence.\nMr. Vipin V was born into a traditional family with a rich historical background. With his father for Guru/ teacher, he started a dedicated study of Pavakoothu. He soon achieved extraordinary skills in all aspects of the art form within a short span of time. It is believed that Chinnathambi Pulavar who lived 2000 years ago was the first prominent performer of Tholpavakoothu.

Lkhon khol of Wat Svay Andet continues today because of its significance in the community’s beliefs and identity, but over the last decade it has been experiencing difficulty. Despite of having some support from the state, NGOs, and the community itself, the troop has faced some challenges, such as the lack of dance costumes, ornaments, masks, stages, and musical instruments. Furthermore, the number of performers has been gradually decreasing due to aging and a lack of natural talent, and the younger generations show little interest since the performances generate no income and they are busy with their studies or working.\nTraditionally, the lkhon khol is transmitted orally within a family and through informal, master-apprentice relationships. Community leaders, masters, and the temple patriarch also encourage younger generations to learn lkhon khol skills to ensure that the art form remains part of the community’s living cultural practice.\nApprentices have historically learned their preferential skills at their masters’ house at night, a time they were free from their agriculture work. While the same practice continues, recently amateurs are learning their art skills in groups during the day on Sundays or occasionally Thursday at the temple compound.

Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies (VICAS) is a scientific institution under thenMinistry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST). It conducts research and scientific activities andnprovides graduate training in culture and arts. It has been carrying out research and developingnscientific foundations for MoCST to develop strategy and build instruments and policies for statenmanagement of culture, family life, sports and tourism. It also safeguards intangible culturalnheritage by means of data/material collection and research. It operates doctoral programs innculture and arts with five majors as follows: Cultural Studies, Cultural Management, Theory andnHistory of Theatrical Arts, and Theory and History of Fine Arts and Folklore.

In 1968, the National Museum of Bhutan was established in the renovated Paro Ta-dzong (lookout fortress) following the Royal command of the third King His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The National Museum was opened to public with modest collection, most of which were donated by the Royal family. Over time, the collection expanded and today the museum has close to 3000 artifacts of cultural and historical significance. The core objective of the museum is to collect, document, conserve, showcase and interpret artifacts. The museum carries out exhaustive research on these artifacts as historical evidence to substantiate tales. It holds colloquiums, symposiums and special exhibitions to make learning more interactive particularly to attract school going children and youth in general. The museum also takes exhibition abroad in collaboration with the host countries. Interested individual can either donate or sell their heirloom to the museum to be preserved for posterity.

Merijanmbhumi is a web-based and mobile enabled platform for connecting villagers and their migrant family members. The platform enables discussion of problems and solutions in a community forum and provides a complex network of concerned people and organizations to share and strengthen best practices and resources. Being an IT-enabled platform, it also helps in identification and research of ICH assets, documentation, digitization, and database creation.