Kathputli Puppetry

Why in News?

Families in Kathputli Nagar of Jaipur preserve Kathputli, one of Rajasthan’s oldest folk-art forms.

• Puppet – A puppet is an inanimate or representational figure, animated or manipulated by a puppeteer.
• Origin of puppetry – The origins of puppetry date back to the Indus Valley Civilisation around 2500 B.C., where archaeologists discovered a terracotta doll with a detachable head.
• The earliest evidence of puppets has also been traced to Egypt, dating to around 2000 B.C.
• Kathputli Nomenclature – The name Kathputli comes from kath (wood) and putli (doll). It is one of Rajasthan’s oldest folk-art forms.
• It is a type of string puppet carved from wood and dressed in bright, colourful costumes.
• Manufactured in – Kathputli Nagar in Jaipur’s ‘Pink City’.
• Type -String puppetry (marionettes).
• Themes -Folk tales, epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata), heroic ballads, social messages.
• Cultural Significance – Performances are accompanied by dholak, harmonium, folk music, and narration.
• Shows include humour, music, satire, and social reflection.
• Kathputli performances continue to carry Rajasthan’s cultural identity across generations.

References

1. The Hindu | Kathputli puppetry
2. Egyankosh | Performative art forms