PUPPETRY

Puppetry has a very old history. References to puppets can be found in the Mahabharata, Ramayana, Panchantra, Naishadeeya Charita(biography of King Shree Harsha), Kathasaritsagar, Jnaneshwari and many other books.

It is basically a source of entertainment and means of communication to pass on messages from the kings to the commoner.

Professional puppeteers moved from place spreading culture of different parts of India.

PUPPETRY - Different Types of Puppets

Traditional Puppets:

There are four major forms of traditional puppets.

(i) glove/hand puppets

(ii) rod puppets,

(iii) string puppets

(iv) shadow puppets/leather puppets

PUPPETRY - Glove or Hand Puppets

These are also known as sleeve, hand or palm puppets.

The head is made of either papier mache, cloth or wood with two hands emerging from just below the neck.

These puppets are like limp dolls, but in the hands of an able puppeteer, are capable of producing a wide range of movements.

The puppeteer wears the puppet like a glove and fits the index finger into the hollow head of the puppet.

PUPPETRY - Glove or Hand Puppets

The manipulation technique is very simple, the movements are controlled by the human hand, the first finger inserted in the head and the middle finger and the thumb are like two arms of the puppet.

One puppeteer can manipulate two puppets at a time.

PUPPETRY - Rod Puppets

The face of the puppet is attached to a long rod and is made to dance by moving the rod.

One stick is attached to one palm of the puppet and another to the other palm, and these are held by the puppeteer in his hand.

Sometimes the sticks are attached to the feet and these are held by the puppeteer in his hand as well.

The puppeteer sits in a low position unseen to the viewers and makes the puppet dance.

PUPPETRY - String Puppets or Marionettes

Rajasthani kathaputalis are world famous.

The string puppet has jointed body and limbs which allow movement.

These puppets often do not have feet.

String puppets are made of wood, or wire, or cloth stuffed with cotton, rags or saw dust.

The puppet is suspended from a hand held control strings which are attached to different parts of the puppet's body and are made to dance.

PUPPETRY - Shadow Puppets

Shadow puppets are basically flat puppets which are operated against the rear of a tightly stretched white cloth screen with a light behind it so that the audience sees the shadow of the puppet on the screen.

Traditional shadow puppets are 2-dimensional and are made of animal skin.

The puppets’ shapes or cutouts are perforated and split bamboo or cane sticks are attached vertically to the puppet for handling and manipulation.

The puppets are pressed against the screen and manipulated for the performance.

PUPPETRY - String - Rod Puppets

             This form employs the use of string and rod to manipulate the puppets.  

                                 Since traditional string puppets are very heavy, two rods are attached  to the hands of the puppets for additional manipulation.

PUPPETRY - Creative Puppets

In addition to these four forms, a fifth important form exists the creative puppet.

A puppet can be created from almost anything. It has no limitations.

Any of the above four forms or a combination of all or some forms or a totally different form can be used to make these puppets move.

An inanimate object can be animated and can be personified.

Any lifeless object can be made to move and called a puppet. From a knife , scissors, pin, clip to an umbrella, shoe, sickle, electric pole.

PUPPETRY - Creative Puppets

Waste Materials in Puppetry

Simple puppets without any elaborate procedure can be made using household materials.

For a start, any home is full of cards, empty cans, boxes, etc. which can be utilised for making different puppets.

PUPPETRY - Utility

Puppetry is an important and useful communication tool for conveying concepts, themes, and messages related to education in schools and other institutions.

Puppetry may be used to convey information on subjects like language, science, social studies, mathematics, and environmental education.

Puppetry is also a helpful tool for the therapeutic purposes, especially for disabled and problem children.

Puppetry helps to develop speech, reading, hearing and motor-control in spastic children.

PUPPETRY - Utility

As a hobby, puppetry gives tremendous scope to learn the art of drawing, painting, needle work and carpentry as well as music, song and story writing.

It helps to develop individual skills and enhances one's creative abilities.

In India, puppetry is used by number of voluntary organisations and educational institutions to convey social and environmental related messages to specific audiences, both in rural and urban areas.

PUPPETRY - Puppetry in Education

Puppetry can be a useful and effective tool for school teachers.

Children enjoy making puppets and presenting puppet shows.

Use of Puppetry in the process of teaching learning activity can enhance the effort of the teacher and the learning outcome of the taught.

Puppets can generate interest, capture attention and promote concentration. It can be used to attract the first generation learners to the school.

PUPPETRY – Construction of Puppets – Glove Puppet

1. Waste paper is tied around the stand/stick in the

shape of a ball.

2. A thin layer of paper mache is applied on the ball.

3. Shape of the face is carved in the paper mache.

4. Dried head is cut into two parts.

5. Remove the waste paper ball and hollow the puppet

head.

6. Both the parts are joined together with gum paste.

7. A glove made of cloth is attached to the puppet

head.

8. Puppet head is decorated over the base of white.

9. Glove puppet is ready.

PUPPETRY – Construction of Puppets – Shadow Puppet

1. The character is drawn on the cardboard.

2. Cardboard is cut accordingly.

3. Different parts are joined together with wire or

thread.

4. Rods are attached to the puppet.

5. Shadow puppet is ready.

REFERENCE

The Art of Puppetry Part 1 and 2

A Handbook of Puppetry by Meena Nayak