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Indian Puppetry

Last updated on January 3, 2023 by ClearIAS Team

Puppetry is a form of visual animation. Due to the engaging nature of the experience and the low production and animation costs, it is a favorite among independent artists. This form of entertainment gives unrestricted freedom to artists in design, colour, and movements.

The puppeteer employs their talents to give the inanimate puppet human-like speech, singing, dancing, and behaviour.

It is regarded as one of the earliest genres of storytelling.

Table of Contents

Origin of Indian Puppetry

Several references to marionette theatre from around 500 BC have been found. The discovery of puppets with sockets at the excavation sites of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro suggests that puppetry was a well-liked art form at the time.

In the Sangham age , Silappadikaram , which was composed in the first and second century BC, as well as the Mahabharata both mention puppetry.

Along with being an artistic medium, puppetry has philosophical significance in Indian culture. In the Bhagavad Geeta, God is compared to a puppeteer who manipulates the universe with the three cords Satta, Raja, and Tama.

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A broad variety of puppetry traditions have developed throughout India, each with its own distinct style of puppets.

Folklore, mythology, and local legends served as sources of inspiration. Puppetry has been infused with other artistic mediums, including painting, sculpture, music, dance, and theatre, creating a distinctive form of artistic expression.

However, this creative genre has been steadily diminishing in recent years because of a lack of devoted fans and financial uncertainties.

Classification of Indian puppetry

Puppetry in India can be classified into four categories:

1. String Puppet

Bommalattam

2. Shadow Puppet

Togalu Gombeyatta

Ravanachhaya
Tholu Bommalatta

3. Rod Puppet

Putul Nachh

4. Glove Puppet

String Puppetry

In Indian culture, string puppets are also referred to as marionettes.

The puppets are typically chiselled wooden replicas that are eight to nine inches long.

Oil paint is used to colour the wood and add other facial features such as eyes, mouth, nose, and other facial traits.

Little wooden pipes are connected to the body to create the limbs.

The body is then stitched together and covered in brightly coloured little clothing.

To make it look more lifelike, tiny diamonds and other decorations have been added.

The strings that are tied to tiny holes in the hands, head and back of the body are moved by the puppeteer.

Either leg, arm, and shoulder, as well as the lower back and each side of the head, are connected by strings. A hand controller in the form of the letters H or X is attached to the strings. In other instances, additional strings are connected to various parts of the marionette’s body.

The most prominent examples of string puppets are:

Kundhei is the name of the string puppets of Odisha .

They are made of l ight wood , and their skirts are long .

The puppeteer can move around with more ease because the puppets have more joints.

The strings are held together by a triangular prop.

The Odissi dance is prominently featured in Kundhei puppet shows.

Kathputli, a traditional string puppet from Rajasthan, derives its name from the Hindi terms for wood and doll, respectively, “Kath” and “putli.

The puppets wear colourful traditional Rajasthani clothing.

The presentation is accompanied by a dramatic folk music score, and the puppeteer’s finger is attached to the strings.

The absence of legs on the puppets is a defining characteristic.

It combines elements of rod puppetry and string puppetry.

The puppeteer wears an iron ring on his head that is attached to the strings.

With some standing up to 4.5 feet tall and weighing up to 10 kilogrammes, the Bommalattam puppets are the biggest and heaviest marionettes in India .

The four distinctive stages of the Bommalattam theatre are Vinayak Puja, Komali, Amanattam, and Pusenkanattam.

It is a traditional puppet show from Karnataka .

They are modelled after the many characters from the Yakshagana Theatres.

One noteworthy feature of this puppet is the use of more than one puppeteer to control the puppets .

Shadow Puppetry

Shadow puppetry has a long history in India and has been handed down through the generations.

Flat figures made of leather are used as shadow puppets.

The miniatures are painted identically on both sides of the leather.

On a white screen, puppets are positioned, and light is flashed on them from behind to cast a shadow.

The figurines are altered such that the silhouettes they produce on the white screen tell a compelling story.

Shadow puppet tradition is still prevalent in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Odisha .

a few well-known examples of shadow puppetry:

It is the renowned shadow theatre of Karnataka .

A distinctive feature of Togalu Gombayetta puppets is the variation in puppet size based on social rank , with enormous puppets portraying monarchs and religious leaders and smaller puppets representing the underprivileged and slaves.

Ravanchhaya

This style of shadow puppetry is the most dramatic, and it’s very well-liked in Odisha .

The puppets made of deer skin are posed in dramatic and bold.

Since they don’t have any joints , learning this art is very challenging.

It is common to employ puppets that are not human, such trees and animals.

Because they have acquired in-depth instruction in their field, the Ravanchhaya artists are able to produce poetic and delicate theatrical narratives.

Tholu Bommalata

It is the shadow theatre of Andhra Pradesh .

With a classical musical background, the presentation focuses on legendary and holy stories from the Epics and Puranas.

The puppets have different colours on both sides and are larger.

Rod Puppetry

In Eastern India , it is most often used. Rod puppet performances are well-known in West Bengal and Odisha .

These puppets are controlled by the puppeteer with the help of rods.

Three joints normally make up these puppets.

Both hands are connected to the rods at the shoulder, and the principal rod supports the puppet’s head, which is connected to the neck.

The primary rod is concealed by the puppet’s attire. The action rods are connected to the puppet’s hands.

The puppeteer creates movement by moving their hands.

Bamboo, rice husk, and hay are used to create the puppet’s body and hands. The ingredients are mixed together and formed into the appropriate shape.

The following are a few well-known instances:

It is a typical rod puppet from Bihar.

The puppets often have no joints and are made of wood .

It is the customary rod puppet dance of the Bengal-Odisha-Assam region .

Typically three to four feet tall, the figures are dressed as Jatra characters.

During the performance, a musical group of three to four musicians uses a harmonium, cymbals, and tabla .

Glove Puppetry

Other names for glove puppets are hand, sleeve, and palm puppets. They are little figurines with a head, arms, and a skirt that is long and flowing.

Although there are notable exceptions, most puppets are made of fabric or wood .

These puppets look like limp dolls, a talented puppeteer can make them move in a number of ways.

The head is made of papier-mache, linen, or wood, and two hands protrude from right below the neck. The rest of the body is covered with a long, flowing skirt.

The human hand manipulates the puppet by placing the first finger on the head and the middle and thumb on the puppet’s two other fingers.

glove puppets are a common practice in Kerala, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha

In Odisha, glove puppet shows focus on Radha and Krishna stories, in contrast to Uttar Pradesh where they primarily address societal issues.

It developed in the 18th century as a result of the influence of Kerala’s renowned classical dance-drama known as Kathakali on puppet shows.

A puppet in Pavakoothu can be between one and two feet tall. Wooden arms and a wooden head are joined by thick fabric that has been cut and sewed into a small bag-like structure.

The puppets’ faces are adorned with paint, tiny pieces of thin gilded zinc, peacock feathers, and other decorations.

The musical instruments used during the concert were chenda, chengila, ilathalam, and shankh .

In the majority of the world’s areas, puppetry has been a crucial component of information exchange. Puppetry combines elements from a variety of artistic mediums, such as literature, painting, sculpture, music, dance, and theatre, and it gives pupils a creative out.

Article Written by: Aryadevi

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Puppetry in India is a vibrant and intricate expression of cultural narratives and regional identities, showcasing the country’s diverse heritage. Elaborate.

Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

1. Puppetry in India is a vibrant and intricate expression of cultural narratives and regional identities, showcasing the country’s diverse heritage. Elaborate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1. Key Demand of the question: To write puppetry as a traditional art and its regional identities. Directive word: Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts. Structure of the answer: Introduction: Start with what Indian puppetry is and its diversity across Indian states. Body: Write in detail about how puppetry draws from painting, sculpture, music, dance, drama and other visual arts. Cite examples to substantiate your points. Next, write about the diverse forms of regional Indian puppetry and its various types. Conclusion: Conclude by writing about importance of puppetry as visual art.

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Indian Puppetry – UPSC Art & Culture Notes

Indian puppetry, a centuries-old artistic tradition, has long been a source of intrigue, entertainment, and cultural significance. Rooted in the rich history of the Indian subcontinent, puppetry is an art form that has continually evolved, drawing inspiration from folklore, mythology, and local legends.

Table of Contents

Origin of Indian Puppetry:

The origins of Indian puppetry trace back to antiquity, with references dating as far back as 500 BC. Archaeological excavations at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro have unearthed puppets with sockets, providing evidence of puppetry’s popularity in ancient India. Notable literary works such as Silappadikaram and the Mahabharata, composed in the first and second century BC, also mention puppetry.

Furthermore, puppetry holds philosophical significance, with parallels drawn to the puppeteer in the Bhagavad Geeta, symbolizing the manipulation of the universe.

Classification of Indian Puppetry:

Indian puppetry can be categorized into four distinct forms, each characterized by unique puppet-making techniques and performance styles.

1. String Puppetry:

Kundhei: Hailing from Odisha, Kundhei string puppets are crafted from light wood and boast greater mobility due to additional joints. The puppeteer manipulates the strings, often accompanied by Odissi dance.
Kathputli: Renowned in Rajasthan, Kathputli puppets are known for their colorful traditional Rajasthani attire. These puppets are manipulated with the puppeteer’s fingers attached to the strings and are devoid of legs.
Bommalattam: Originating in Tamil Nadu, Bommalattam combines elements of rod and string puppetry. The puppeteer wears an iron ring on their head, connected to the strings, while some puppets can reach up to 4.5 feet in height.
Gombeyatta: A traditional puppetry style from Karnataka, Gombeyatta puppets are inspired by characters from Yakshagana Theatres. Multiple puppeteers collaborate to control these puppets.

2. Shadow Puppetry:

Togalu Gombeyaata : Karnataka’s celebrated shadow puppetry is distinguished by variations in puppet size based on social rank. Monarchs and leaders are portrayed by larger puppets, while smaller ones represent the underprivileged.
Ravana Chhaya: Odisha’s dramatic shadow puppetry style features puppets made from deerskin, posed dramatically. These puppets lack joints, making them challenging to manipulate but capable of conveying poetic narratives.
Tholu Bommalata: Andhra Pradesh’s shadow theatre focuses on legendary and holy stories from the Epics and Puranas, featuring larger, double-sided puppets.

3. Rod Puppetry:

Yampuri: Rod puppets from Bihar are typically made of wood and lack joints. These puppets are controlled by rods and are relatively simple in structure.
Putul Nach: Hailing from the Bengal-Odisha-Assam region, this rod puppet dance features Jatra characters and involves a musical ensemble of three to four musicians.

4. Glove Puppetry:

Pavakoothu: Kerala’s traditional glove puppetry, Pavakoothu, was influenced by Kathakali. These puppets are adorned with wooden arms, a head, and intricate decorations, creating visually captivating performances.

Indian puppetry, once a vibrant and integral part of cultural expression, has faced challenges in recent years due to dwindling audiences and financial constraints. However, it remains a testament to India’s rich cultural tapestry, blending elements from literature, painting, sculpture, music, dance, and theatre to offer a unique and creative form of storytelling.

FAQs on Indian Puppetry

Q: what is indian puppetry, and how does it differ from other forms of puppetry.

A: Indian puppetry is a traditional performing art form that involves the use of puppets to tell stories, entertain, and convey cultural messages. It varies across regions, with distinctive styles such as string puppetry (Yakshagana Bayalata), shadow puppetry (Tholu Bommalata), and glove puppetry (Pava Koothu). Each style reflects the cultural richness and diversity of different Indian states.

Q: What materials are commonly used in the making of Indian puppets?

A: Indian puppetry encompasses a wide range of materials for puppet making. Traditional materials include wood, leather, cloth, and even paper. Puppeteers often use vibrant colors and intricate designs to create visually appealing characters that represent diverse characters from mythology, folklore, and daily life.

Q: How has technology impacted Indian puppetry in the modern era?

A: While traditional forms of Indian puppetry continue to thrive, modern technology has introduced new dimensions to the art. Some puppeteers incorporate sound effects, lighting, and multimedia elements to enhance performances. Additionally, the internet has provided a platform for puppeteers to reach wider audiences and preserve this ancient art form.

Q: What are the regional variations in Indian puppetry, and how do they reflect local cultures?

A: India boasts a rich tapestry of puppetry styles, each rooted in the cultural and historical context of its region. For example, the string puppetry of Rajasthan reflects the state’s royal heritage, while the shadow puppetry of Andhra Pradesh often portrays stories from the epics. These regional variations highlight the diversity of Indian culture and storytelling traditions.

Q: Is Indian puppetry only for entertainment, or does it serve other purposes?

A: While Indian puppetry is a captivating form of entertainment, it also serves various cultural and social purposes. Many puppetry performances convey moral lessons, cultural values, and historical stories. Puppetry has been used historically to educate and communicate messages in an engaging and accessible manner, making it a versatile and culturally significant art form in India.

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