Puppets and puppeteers
I got a leather puppet custom-made to fit my balcony window. It is a 6 ft tall structure of Radha in all her splendour. There was a Krishna too in beautiful blue, but I needed just one and I chose Radha over Krishna. I haven’t installed the structure yet. Once it is in its place, I will definitely put up a picture.
Once of my friends Nisha Subramaniam (I call her ‘Nishakka‘) had been here earlier. I’d asked her to get me a puppet. Once I saw my ‘Radha‘, I had to see the whole thing myself. So my recent trip to B’lore took me to Nimmalakunta, a 3 hour drive from Bangalore. Here I met Tulsi Rao (the one on the left) who was happily dozing under the cool shade of a banyan tree. I had spoken to him countless times over the telephone. Though we speak no common language, we have mastered the art of communication in such circumstances.
Almost everyone in the village is involved in either making puppets or hosting shows. Here is Tulsi Rao’s sister, who plays the female lead in the puppet shows.
Made with goat leather that is soaked in water and dried, the translucent sheets of leather are used as canvases for these puppets. The basic deign is sketched on the sheet, cut out to form a puppet and then coloured.
Holes are punched into these puppets with simple tools. These holes let light pass through when held against it. This contrast is used for the puppet show.
Nowadays, owing to the lack of interest in puppet shows, business has taken a downturn. So colourful lamps are made to cater to the current market trends.
Tulsi Rao was all enthusiastic as he took out his harmonium and played ‘Bahut Pyaar Karte Hain Tumko Sanam‘. He also showed us a minute long puppet show. But what took my breath away was this Vishnu’s Dasavatar (10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu) piece that he had made.
Ramayana is a very common theme for their puppet show. Here is Hanuman and Sita.
And here is the deer that lured Sita away! 🙂
So many beautiful pictures, an amazing bunch of people. Here is my favorite picture.
And if your glass door is asking for something like this, any design, any size can be custom made. How about a back-lit panel of Lord Krishna for the Pooja room door? 🙂
Please click here for more pictures.
mano
August 5, 2011 at 3:45 pmnice. The lampshades look good. Eager to see the Radhe work in your home.
deepthi
October 15, 2011 at 11:29 amhey can u let me know how i can buy those puppets…..i need to show ramayanam for my kids….
craftcanvas
October 15, 2011 at 12:32 pmHi Deepthi, Where do u live? If it is in India, I can get it made and couriered to you.