This makes the puppeteer’s voice a high pitched one. The puppeteers speak through a reed made of bamboo called boli (speech) which function as a speaker. These long skirts disguise the fact that they have no feet. The puppets are dressed in elaborate costumes and one particular factor is the long skirts. The figures are carved from wood, and the hands are made of stuffed rags. Kathputli (wooden doll) performance of Rajasthan is the most prevalent string puppetry. Kathputli from Rajasthan, Source : Getty Images There is greater scope of movement since the strings are often attached to those parts which could offer maximum movement and control to the puppeteer.

The puppeteer manipulates the movement of the dolls using the string. Iii) String puppets- As the name suggests, the puppet figurines are attached to a string. While the rods are attached to the hands of puppets, manipulation is from above like that of the string puppets. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have a curious puppet tradition which has both rods and strings. The puppet figures are adorned in Jatra costume and the play scripts of Jatra is performed as well. The rod puppets of West Bengal are called Putul-nach (putul = puppet nach = dance). The stories of Durga and Ramayana are performed typically. The puppets are around 12 to 18 inches in height. The puppeteers manipulate the puppets from below while sitting. Orissa’s rod puppetry is called Kathikundhei-nach (rod doll dance). It is found only in Orissa and West Bengal. Ii) Rod puppetry - Large puppet figures are manipulated by the use of three or four feet high rods. Three or four puppeteers perform in view of the audience. Since the puppets are so similar to the headdress worn by Kathakali performers, it is also called Pava-Kathakali. In Kerala, glove puppetry is called Pava-Koothu (pava = doll koothu = dance). While manipulating the puppet, the puppeteers also sing and play the dhol (folk drum). In Kundhei-nach, there are two puppeteers, representing Krishna and Radha. Radha Krishna theme is represented in the pictorial arts as well as performance arts of Orissa. Glove puppets of Orissa are called Kundhei-nach (kundhei = doll nach = dance). They slip over the puppet figure into their hands and for this reason, are also called hand puppets. I) Glove puppets - The rod puppets are manipulated directly by the puppeteer’s hand in audience view. India is home to a diverse range of puppet traditions.Īll the archetype of puppets is found in India, which are: hand or glove puppets, rod, string and leather or shadow puppets. As a popular medium of performance, it has been present all over India. They perform both the function of education and entertainment. The puppet performances present stories of Gods and epic heroes using epic poetry and narrative theatre. Some scholars also argue that puppetry was there before the theatre. Other literary sources include Panini’s grammar (4th century B.C.E), Patanjali’s texts (2nd century B.C.E). According to literary sources, the earliest reference to puppetry has been made in the Mahabharata, 9th century B.C.E. Not satisfied with his work, Brahma banished the puppeteer to earth, starting the line of nat bhatt puppeteers. However, there is one myth which says that, the creator Brahma gave life to the adi, the first nat puppeteer, and created the first puppet for the entertainment for his consort goddess Saraswati. It cannot be located when the tradition began historically. It has been performed generally at the religious events, ceremonial events and temple festivals. Hence, they are at the crossroads of storytelling and theatre plays. Puppetry show includes pictorial story depiction using puppets, live music, gestures, and narration. The puppetry tradition of India is an integral part of the Indian performance tradition.

History of puppetry