Historical Background.
Puppetry has ancient roots in India, as evidenced by references in books such as the Mahabharata and different epics. Puppetry is thought to have been utilized to tell religious, mythological, and folkloric stories. Over the years, puppetry evolved into various regional styles, each with its style, technique, and repertoire. The excavation sites of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro have recovered puppets with sockets attached.
Types of Puppetry in India
Indian puppetry can be divided into four categories: string puppets (marionettes), shadow puppets, rod puppets, and glove puppets. Each variety has unique qualities and geographical variations.
String puppets (marionettes)
String puppetry, often known as string marionettes, is the manipulation of puppets with strings tied to their legs and heads. The puppeteer expertly manipulates the strings to animate the puppets, resulting in lifelike movements. To give the puppets lifelike features, they are carved from wood and painted with oil paints.
Notable Examples:
Kathputli (Rajasthan): The name is derived from two joining words of the Rajasthani language that is 'kath' meaning wood and 'putli' meaning a doll that has no life. These puppets wear long skirts and do not have legs. Colorful and elaborately dressed puppets that perform traditional folk tales, ballads, and historical narratives.- Kundhei (Odisha): Puppets made of wood, adorned with vibrant costumes and jewelry, performing stories from the epics and local legends.
- Gombeyatta(Karnataka): These puppets are highly stylized and have joints at the legs, shoulders, elbow, hips, and knees. They are manipulated by five to six strings tied to a prop. They are styled and designed like the characters of Yakshagana the traditional theatre form of region.
- Bommalattam(Tamil Nadu): It is a combination of both string and rod puppets. They are the largest, heaviest, and most articulate of the traditional Indian marionettes, up to 4.5 feet tall and weighing 10 kg. They are made up of wood and strings of manipulation are tied to an iron wing, which the puppeteer wears like a crown on his head.
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Shadow puppetry involves flat, articulated figures made from leather or paper, held against a translucent screen with a light source behind them. The puppeteers manipulate the figures to cast shadows on the screen, creating a visual narrative.
Notable Examples:
- Tholu Bommalata (Andhra Pradesh): Large, intricately designed leather puppets depicting episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
- Togalu Gombeyatta (Karnataka): Smaller leather puppets based on social status for instance, larger sizes for kings and religious characters and smaller sizes for common people used to perform mythological and folk stories.
- Ravana Chhaya(Odisha): These puppets are of one piece and have no joints. thus, the manipulation requires great dexterity.it is made of deerskin and is conceived in bold dramatic poses.
Rod puppetry uses puppets mounted on rods, which are manipulated from below. The rods are usually attached to the puppets' heads and hands, allowing for expressive movements.
Notable Examples:
- Putul Nach (West Bengal and Odisha): Wooden puppets controlled by rods from below, performing local legends and religious stories.
- Yampuri (Bihar): Traditional rod puppets made of wood, one-piece puppets, and have no joints depicting various characters from folklore and mythology.
- Kathi Kandhe(Odisha):
Glove Puppets
Glove puppetry, also known as Hand Puppetry, involves puppets that fit over the puppeteer's hands like gloves. The puppeteer uses their fingers to animate the puppet's head and arms.
Notable Examples:
- Pavakoothu (Kerala): Puppets made of wood and cloth, used to perform stories from the Ramayana and local legends.
Cultural Significance
Puppetry in India is not just a form of entertainment but also a medium for cultural transmission and social commentary. It serves several important functions:
- Storytelling: Puppetry brings to life ancient epics, folklore, and historical events, preserving these stories for future generations.
- Education: Puppetry is used as an educational tool to teach moral values, social issues, and historical knowledge.
- Rituals and Festivals: Puppetry often features in religious rituals and festivals, adding a dynamic element to the celebrations.
- Social Commentary: Puppeteers use their art to comment on contemporary social and political issues, raising awareness and provoking thought.
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