From narrating folktales and dancing on Nimbuda Nimbuda to grooving to Shakira’s Waka Waka, puppets in India have done it all. Puppetry, a unique art form, is an inherent part of Indian culture. Its presence dates back thousands of years. As an art form, puppetry holds a certain level of philosophical essence as well. Legend has it that God has been depicted as a puppeteer in the Bhagavad Gita. He is shown controlling the entire universe with three strings namely Satta, Raja and Tama. Today, as we celebrate World Puppetry Day, it’s time for us to dive back into the history and significance of Indian puppetry.
Origin of Puppetry
Puppets are dolls or figures that are controlled by a person and they appear to move on their own. Puppetry is believed to have developed more than 3,000 years ago. Egypt is considered to be the cradle of the earliest puppets. Archaeologists have discovered puppets made of ivory and clay in tombs. Ancient Greek scholars like Aristotle and Plato also mentioned them as early as 422 BC.
In the excavation sites of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, puppets with sockets have been unearthed which indicates that puppetry was a popular art form at that time. One can also find mentions of puppetry in the great Indian epic The Mahabharata and the Tamil classic Silappadikaram written in the first and second centuries BC. ‘Sutradhar’ which means ‘string bearer’ is referred to as the storyteller in Indian theatre.
Types of Puppets used in India
Glove Puppets
Also known as hand puppets, sleeve puppets and palm puppets, they are popular in Indian states like Kerala, West Bengal, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. Sakhi Kundhei Neta is the glove puppetry popular in Odisha. Stories of Radha Krishna formed the basis of the stories. It is mostly popular in the districts of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. Beni Putul, popular in East Midnapur, Murshidabad and 24 Parganas districts refers to the dolls used for commercial purposes. It was used as a tool against the oppression of the British. Pavakoothu, another type of glove puppet that is popular in Kerala depicts the themes based on The Mahabharata and The Ramayana.
Shadow Puppets
They are generally popular in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha and Tamil Nadu and have six types. They are flat and transparent leather or paper cut-outs that are fastened to a supporting stick and moved by at least two other thin sticks or rods. Ravan Chhaya from Odisha and Tholpavai Koothu from Kerala are the two most prominent shadow puppet theatre traditions in India.
String Puppets
Also called marionettes, string puppets have spread throughout the continent of Asia. This is generally popular in the states of Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. These puppets are made out of wood and the long flowing decorative skirts hide the legs. Strings attached to a triangular wooden control manipulate the puppets. In Odisha, the ends of the strings are tied to a triangular wooden frame to a horizontal bar while in Rajasthan, puppets are simply looped around the puppeteer’s fingers. String puppets are believed to dominate the Indian classical theatre and they find their first mentions in the Mahabharata of the 4th century BC.
Rod Puppets
They are an extension of the glove puppets but are larger than them and are supported and manipulated by rods or sticks of different sizes. They are generally famous in the Indian states of West Bengal and Odisha and they are generally made of three joints. This technique is also used for the round or doll-type puppets. The trunk is formed by a stick, the lower extension of which is the handle for its manipulation. Daanger Putul Nach is the traditional rod puppet performance of Bengal. The Mahabharata, the Ramayana, the Puranas and the Jatras form the themes of this performance.
Here are some flawless puppetry performances that are a visual treat to your life :
Bengal’s Glove Puppetry Performance
Reciting the story of a wedding without dowry, the artist in his performance uses gloves to move the puppets. He simultaneously sings a song to which the puppets dance creating a theatre-like experience.
A Rajasthani String Puppet Performance
This puppetry performance by a Rajasthani artist shows string puppets grooving to the desi Bollywood music of today’s time. The art has now evolved beyond folk songs and ballads. It has reached the horizons of trending songs and pop tadka.
Kerala’s Shadow Puppetry Performance
Narrating the traditional folktales and legends of Kerala, this style of puppetry dwells deep in the culture of the state. This performance also presents a story by way of shadow puppets which is indeed a wholesome and enchanting experience.
Rod Puppet Performance by Bengali artists
Beginning with a mandatory concert to invite people from afar, these performances include announcements being made in the traditional ‘jatra’ style. This show by Bengali artists depicts an episode from the Indian epic Ramayana being enacted by rod puppets.
The prominence of puppetry art is diminishing gradually due to a lack of patronage in the modern era and the confinement of the art to mythological stories. Puppetry art remains one of the most pleasant and worthy experiences of one’s life. The artists are immensely skilled and carry a knack in their field. The World Puppetry Day is a beautiful reminder to delve back into the art, the artists and the magical aura it carries.
