Rajasthani Kathputhli

Performing Art

 This video is an example of traditional Rajasthani Puppetry called Kathputhli. A single string attached to the puppets is controlled by a puppeteer standing behind the stage. This marionette style is the most common in India, entertaining young ones and old for centuries.

In this video, the puppet stage is set to look like a darbar, with the king and his courtiers sitting backstage. The light is dimmed everywhere except on stage, so the focus is on the puppets. When the music starts, another puppet depicting a snake charmer enters the stage followed by a snake.

 As the snake charmer, plays his flute and the snake dances, the excitement of the king and his courtiers can be seen by the little jerks and jumps. The puppeteer has skillfully displayed the reactions of all the characters in the scene, not only the main puppets (the snake charmer and the snake)

The music is apt for the scene, as it is a tune commonly associated with snakes and snake charmers in India. Hence, even before the snake or the charmer enter stage, the music hints at what we are to expect.