Quick Revision Module (UPSC Prelims 2022)

Art & Culture

INDIAN PUPPETRY
Sources:

Ancient Written Meanings

Linkage evidences
Srimad Bhagavata: Earliest reference to Sanskrit terminology
Mention of three the art of puppetry: Puttalika and Puttika
strings-Satta, Raja Tamil classic ‘Silapp- means ‘little sons’.
and Tama, and God adikaaram’ and in
as puppeteer. Mahabharata. The root of Puppet is
derived from the latin
Harappa and Natyashastra: word ‘Pupa’ meaning
Mohenjo-daro: ‘Sutradhar’ meaning a doll.
Excavation of puppets. the holder of strings.

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 String Puppets Shadow Puppets
Togalu Gombeyatta,
Kathputli, Rajasthan
Karnataka
Kundhei, Odisha
Tholu Bommalata,
Gombeyatta, Karnataka
Andhra Pradesh
Bommalattam, Tamil Nadu
Ravanachhaya, Orissa

Rod Puppets Glove Puppets

Putul Nautch, West Bengal
Yampuri, Bihar Pavakoothu, Kerala

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Jointed limbs Rajasthan, Orissa,

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controlled by Karnataka and

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strings. Tamil Nadu.

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STRING
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PUPPETS

Miniature jewelleries
and other accessories
are attached.

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 String Puppets Features Image
Kathputli, Traditional marionettes.
Rajasthan Carved from wood (Kath), puppets are
like large dolls (Putli) that are colour-
fully dressed.
Accompanied by a dramatic folk music.
Puppets wear long trailing skirts and do
not have legs.
Kundhei, Puppets have no legs but wear long
Odisha flowing skirts.
Have more joints and are, therefore,
more versatile, articulate and easy to
manipulate.
Influenced by Jatra traditional theatre.
Gombeyatta, Designed like the characters of
Karnataka Yakshagana.
Episodes enacted are usually based
on Prasangas of the Yakshagana plays.
Manipulated by two to three puppeteers
at a time.
Bommalattam, Combine the techniques of both rod
Tamil Nadu and string puppets.
Manipulation strings are tied to an iron
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ring worn like a crown on his head.

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The largest, heaviest and the most artic-

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ulateof all traditional Indian marionettes.

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4 stages: Vinayak Puja, Komali,

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Amanattam and Pusenkanattam.

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SHADOW
PUPPETS Silhouettes
Flat figures, cut or
out of leather. colourful
shadows
Orissa, Kerala,
Andhra Pradesh, Pressed against
Karnataka, the screen with
Maharashtra a strong source
and Tamil of light behind.
Nadu.

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 Shadow Puppets Features Image
Togalu Mostly small in size.
Gombeyatta, Variation of puppet size based on
Karnataka social status.
Large size: kings and religious
characters.
Smaller size: Common people
or servants.

Tholu Large in size and jointed waist,

Bommalata, shoulders, elbows and knees.
Andhra Pradesh Coloured on both sides.
Music is dominantly influenced by
the classical music.
Themes are drawn from the
Ramayana, Mahabharata and
Puranas.

Ravanachhaya, One piece and have no joints.

Orissa Throw opaque shadows on
the screen.
Puppets are made of deer skin
and are conceived in bold
dramatic poses.
Use of non-human puppets.
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Putul Nautch, Yampuri, Bihar

Rod Puppets Made of wood
Extension of
West Bengal and are without
glove-puppets. Costumed like any joints.
Controlled by Rods. the actors of Jatra. Carved out of a
West Bengal, Mostly three joints. single piece of wood
Assam and Orissa. Accompanied by and then painted and
a musical troop. dressed in bright
colours.

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 Glove Puppets Pavakoothu, Kerala
Sleeve, hand or Originated around
palm puppets. 18th century.
Made of cloth or wood. Influence of Kathakali
Popular all across India. dance.
Themes like Ramayana
and Mahabharata.

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