What is Indian shadow puppetry?
Shadow play, also known as shadow puppetry, is an ancient form of storytelling and entertainment which uses flat articulated cut-out figures (shadow puppets) which are held between a source of light and a translucent screen or scrim. Various effects can be achieved by moving both the puppets and the light source.
How are Indian shadow puppets made?
In every form of Indian puppetry, two charbhoys (wooden country cots) form the usual foundation of the stage. Two dhotis or two white saris are pinned together lengthwise, forming a screen. The puppeteers perform either sitting or standing behind the screen.
Where did shadow puppetry originated?
China
shadow play, type of theatrical entertainment performed with puppets, probably originating in China and on the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali. Flat images are manipulated by the puppeteers between a bright light and a translucent screen, on the other side of which sits the audience.
What are the two types of Nang?
Nang yai, whose name specifically means “large shadow puppet”, features life-size puppets, while nang talung (a similar tradition of shadow puppetry whose name derives from Pattalung, a southern city where the tradition has long been popular) features much smaller puppets.
Which state is famous for puppet?
Rajasthan, Orissa, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are some of the regions where this form of puppetry has flourished. The traditional marionettes of Rajasthan are known as Kathputli.
Who invented shadow puppets?
Shadow Puppetry is said to have originated in China over two thousand years ago during the Han Dynasty. The most popular origin legend tells of Emperor Han Wudi who was rendered irrevocably heartsick at the sudden passing of his favorite concubine.
What is the traditional material used for making wayang puppets?
Wayang puppet figures The important characters are usually represented by several puppets each. The wayang is usually made out of water buffalo and goat hide and mounted on to bamboo sticks. However, the best wayang is typically made from young female buffalo parchment, cured for up to ten years.
Who invented shadow puppetry?
Who performs Chinese shadow puppetry?
Shadow plays are performed by large troupes with seven to nine performers and smaller troupes of only two to five, primarily for entertainment or religious rituals, weddings and funerals and other special occasions. Some puppeteers are professional, while others are amateurs performing during slack farming seasons.
How is Nang shadow performed?
Nang yai (“large puppet”) is an ancient form of shadow theatre in which dancing puppeteers perform scenes from the Ramakien by presenting cut-out leather figures against a semi-transparent cloth screen.
Who are the Nang characters?
The popular characters are the stock clowns, such as Ai Nol, Ai Tong, Al Muang, and Ai Klang. They offer obscene humour, often characteristic of nang talung and always loved by the audience.
Who is the shadow in Ramayana?
Rabana Chhaya
Rabana Chhaya literally means ‘the shadow of Ravana’ and is named after the eponymous evil king of the South Asian epic Ramayana.
Where did shadow puppet theatre in India come from?
Shadow Puppet Theatre in India as the most seasoned type of puppetry. A few researchers are of the view that this structure began in India; while others feel that it moved from China to different nations including India. There is a lot of contention about the starting point and relic of shadow theater in India.
What are the different types of puppets in India?
Besides traditional puppet genres, India is home to many contemporary initiatives that renovate puppetry while supporting the preservation of heritage styles. Living traditions include different types of puppets: string puppets, rod puppets, glove puppets, and shadow puppets.
How many figures are there in a Karnataka shadow puppet set?
A set of Karnataka shadow puppets comprises at least fifty figures. Frequently a puppeteer will own more than one hundred. Puppet size indicates the character’s social rank, with the ‘holy’ figures being the largest, servants the smallest.
Where are glove puppets found in India?
Also known as hand puppets, glove puppets are widespread in Odisha ( sakhi kundhei ), Kerala ( pavakathakali ), Tamil Nadu ( pava koothu ), Uttar Pradesh ( Gulabo-Sitabo) and West Bengal ( benir putul ).
