One of the topics mentioned in Indian art and culture is the different types of puppetry in India. This topic resembles the vast culture of India since its inception. This topic is important per the new pattern of exam questions. In this article, we discuss types of puppetry in India so that reader can get a clear idea about the history of Puppetry Arts.
History of Puppetry:
- Puppets are one of mankind’s most remarkable and original inventions. It is a kind of storytelling. Bardic stands at the crossroads of storytelling and theater.
- It includes live music, narration, and dancing gestures.
- Puppetry has been an important part of traditional entertainment for centuries. As in traditional theater, the themes of puppetry are mostly based on epics and legends. Dolls from different regions of the country have their own identities. They reflect the style of painting and sculpture of the region.
Different Types of Puppetry in India
1. String Puppetry
- They are connected with 5 strings typically tied to the hands of the performer, who manages the puppets.
- The very well-known string puppets in India are Kathputli (Rajasthan).
- These puppets are carved from a solo piece of timber after which blanketed with a colorful lengthy flowing skirt from the waist and headgear.
- Examples:
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Kundhei, Odisha: The string puppets of Orissa are referred to as Kundhei. Made of mild timber, the Odisha puppets don’t have any legs but put on lengthy flowing skirts. They have greater joints and are, therefore, greater versatile, articulate, and smooth to manage.
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Gombeyaata, Karnataka: They are styled and designed just like the characters of Yakshagana, the conventional theatre shape of the region. Episodes enacted in Gombeyaata are generally primarily based totally on the Prasangas of the Yakshagana plays. The song that accompanies is dramatic and fantastically blends people and classical elements.
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Bommalattam, Tamil Nadu: Puppets from Tamil Nadu, referred to as Bommalattam integrate each rod’s and string puppets’ strategies. They are fabricated from timber and the strings for manipulation are tied to an iron ring which the puppeteer wears like a crown on his head.
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Kathputli, Rajasthan: It is a string puppet performance and ancient folk art. Kathputli means a wooden doll. Dolls are usually two feet tall and have wooden heads with large noses and large eyes.
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Kalasutri Bahulya: Traditional string puppetry from Maharashtra. Crafted from wood, these small dolls wear elaborate hats, turbans, and ornaments.
- Putala Nach – String puppet theater in the Assam region of northeastern India. There are troupes and traditional families who performed this. Some master puppeteers are recognized locally and nationally for their contributions to the art of puppetry.
2. Shadow Puppetry
- They are cut from leather and have a flat shape.
- The shadow puppets are pressed against the screen against a strong light source, and by manipulating the light and the screen, they create colorful shadows on the audience sitting in front of the screen.
- These dolls are popular in Orissa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
- Examples:
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Togalu Gombeyaata: The theater of shadows in Karnataka is known as his Togalu Gombeyaata. These dolls are usually small. However, doll sizes vary according to social status. For example, there are large sizes for kings and religious figures, and small sizes for commoners and servants.
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Tholu Bommalata: It belongs to Andhra Pradesh. It is tall and has articulated hips, shoulders, elbows, and knees. Colored on both sides. These puppets, therefore, cast colored shadows on the screen. The music is largely influenced by classical music from the region, with puppet themes taken from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas.
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Rabana Chhaya: A puppet of Orissa. It is one piece and has no joints. They are not tinted and cast opaque shadows on the screen. In addition to human and animal characters, many props such as trees, mountains, and tanks are used. The Rabana Chhaya doll is smaller, at most he is under two feet and has no limbs, but casts a very delicate and lyrical shadow.
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Tholpavakoothu or shadow puppetry is a temple art form widely practiced in Bhagavathy (Mother Goddess) temples in Palakkad district and neighboring areas of Kerala. Tholpava (that means leather and pava means puppet) is moved by a string and its shadow is cast onto the screen by a series of oil lamps in the background.
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Chamdyacha bahulya: A theater of shadows in Maharashtra, southwestern India. The complete puppet ensemble consists of 65 figures carved from translucent and pigmented buffalo leather, with no perforations or joints, and a single movable arm attached to the figure’s body with leather pins. There are no seams, except. A wooden or bamboo stick runs vertically through the figure.
- Bommalattam or puppetry in Tamil Nadu is one of the oldest forms of storytelling. Tamil Nadu is the birthplace of various arts, entertainment, and dance. Bommalattam puppet shows are performed at temples during various festivals. Performances last for a week or ten days, usually all night long.
3. Rod Puppetry
- Rod puppets are an extension of hand puppets, being much larger and often supported and manipulated from below by a staff.
- These are found in West Bengal and Orissa, where the dolls are associated with traditional folk arts.
- Examples:
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Putul Nach: It belongs to West Bengal. They are carved from wood and follow different artistic styles of a particular region. The Bengali stick puppets are about three to four feet tall and are dressed like actors in Jatra, a traditional theater form prevalent in the state. The technique of manipulation is very theatrical. A bamboo hub is attached firmly to the puppeteer’s waist, and a stick supporting the puppet is placed on top of it. A puppeteer, each with a puppet, stands behind a head-height curtain, manipulating poles, moving and dancing in movements appropriate to the puppet.
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Yampuri: Bihar‘s traditional stick puppets are known as Yampuri. These dolls are made of wood. Unlike the traditional stick puppets of West Bengal and Orissa, these puppets are one-piece and seamless. These puppets have no joints, so unlike other stick puppets, they require more dexterity.
- Kathi Kandhe: This puppetry belongs to Orissa. As compared to Putul Nach stick puppets in West Bengal, Kati Kande stick puppets are much smaller. Orissa Rod Puppets measure approximately 12-18 inches. The stories are based on Ramayana, Puranas, and epics on social issues.
4. Glove Puppetry
- It is also known as a sleeve or hand puppet.
- Its head is made of paper, cloth, or wood, with hands sticking out just below its neck and the rest is a long skirt. The doll’s movements are controlled by human hands.
- Primarily found in Orissa, West Bengal, and Kerala.
- Examples:
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Pavakoothu: It is a traditional hand puppet shape found in Kerala. Appeared in the 18th century under the influence of Kathakali. The doll’s face is decorated with paint, small thin gold sheet metal, and peacock feathers. The manipulator puts his hands in his pocket and moves the puppet’s hands and head. The instruments used during the performance are Chenda, Chengila, Ilathalamand, and Shankha. The theme of Kerala hand puppetry is based on episodes from Ramayana or Mahabharata.
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Sakhi Kundhei: Rod puppet theater in Orissa. The doll representing Radha is called Chandra Badani (moon-like face) with small bells on her wrists and under her skirt that ring when she moves. Luxuriously dressed wooden puppets have facial expressions that can convey one or more emotions.
- Beni Putul: It is a hand puppetry tradition in West Bengal and is believed to be the oldest form of puppetry in the state. The doll used in Beni Putul is approximately 2.5 feet tall. Traditionally, the doll’s head was made of clay and the facial features were painted.
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