Kathputli

Kathputli show in Some scholars believe Kathputli art tradition is more than thousands years old. Today Kathputli art is one of the most popular performing arts of Rajasthan state of India after Rupayan Sansthan in Overview [ ] Characteristic to this form are the shrill voices produced by the lead puppeteer which are spoken through a References [ ] • • "Indian Puppetry" • • Rajasthan, by Anymique Choy, Tarangi Singh, p. 35. • • • The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 March 2010. • Indian Express. 16 February 2009. Archived from • Shrager, Heidi J. (20 June 2008). • Brandon, James R.; Martin Banham (1997). The Cambridge guide to Asian theatre. Cambridge University Press. 0-521-58822-7. • Ghosh, Sampa; Utpal Kumar Banerjee (2006). Indian puppets. Abhinav Publications. 81-7017-435-X. • • External links [ ] • •

Kathputlis of Rajasthan play an important role in defining the folk heritage of the royal state. Rajasthani Kathputlis are colorful-appearing wooden puppets with a history that dates back to the reign of the Royals. These traditional dolls or puppets are renowned locally, nationally, and internationally for its singular beauty in shape, attire, and theme. The importance of Kathputlis is defined by the puppet, the puppeteer, and the creator of the puppets. Since the earlier times, children and adults have both found amusement in puppet shows. Puppets and puppet shows have a definite heritage and cultural flavour in the Indian environment. The Indian puppets known as ‘Kathputlis’, which are made in the state of Rajasthan, are well known throughout the world. The term ‘Kathputli’ is a combination of two slang words. Putli means ‘doll’ and Kath means ‘wood’ and they both work to define wooden dolls. Rajasthan’s social life has always depended heavily on Kathputlis. There are some Rajasthani folk songs, ballads, and folk stories that make mention of kathputlis. Scholars and historians have located the origin of these puppets as the indigenous Bhat community of Rajasthan, about 1500 years ago. The puppeteers from the Bhat community are responsible for giving Kathputlis their distinctive flavour. Due to its accurate depiction of tradition, Kathputlis still maintain its status as an important component of India’s cultural heritage. The Kathputli tradition is built on folklore and ...

Traditional putliwallah (puppeteer) and genealogists. As genealogists, they kept the family histories of important people in the villages and towns in Rajasthan where they themselves came from. For their own local rulers, for instance, thrice a day in the square they would recite the family histories, the events in the lives of the rulers’ ancestors. As puppeteers ( kathputliwallah or kathputli kalākāra, “artist”), they perform the kathputli ka khel (“ kathputli play”). The kathputli performers claim that their ancestors had performed for royal families and had received great honour and prestige from the rulers of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab. Indeed, they mostly performed in other states, not only in Rajasthan. They travelled to Uttar Pradesh and other areas that were Hindi and Urdu (or Hindustani) speaking, thus the language of the kathputli ka khel – for both songs and dialogues – was a blend of these two languages. The kathputli puppets ( putli meaning doll and kath, wood) are sculpted and painted by the puppeteers themselves, and are composed of a head inserted on a short, thin torso of wood. The arms, made of wood or cloth stuffed with cotton, articulated at the elbow and wrist, hang and move freely on both sides of the body. Since most of the kathputli do not have legs, the puppets’ long, ground-length cotton voile skirts twirl about when in motion. Two strings, one attached around the puppet’s waist, the other to the top of its head, are con...

Image – Puppet shows have been a source of entertainment for children and adults. In the Indian context, puppets and puppet shows have a distinct touch of tradition and culture. It is the state of Kathputlis of Rajasthan are vibrant-looking wooden puppets that have their tale of history dating back to the times of the Royals. Kathputli is regionally, nationally, and globally known for its unique beauty from its form, clothes, to theme. The puppet, the puppet maker, and the puppeteers all have their distinct roles in defining the establishment of Kathputlis. Here we will talk about the etymology, history, themes, and other qualities of Kathputlis that make it so popular. Etymology of Kathputlis of Rajasthan Image – The amalgamation of two colloquial terms forms the term Kathputli. ‘Kath’ means wood, and ‘Putli’ means doll. Together they define wooden dolls. The Kathputlis colloquial name also adds to its charm. History of Kathputlis of Rajasthan Image – Kathputlis have been an essential part of the social life of Rajasthan. The Kathputlis reference can be found in some Rajasthani folk songs, folk tales, ballads. Historians and Scholars have traced the origin around 1500 years ago in the tribal Bhat community of Rajasthan. It is through the hands of the Bhat community puppeteers that Kathputlis got its traditional flavour. Kathputlis still holds its place as a cultural asset of India because of its authentic representation of heritage. Folk tales and folk stories are the bas...