Discover the regional traditions that make puppet shows in India a fascinating blend of storytelling, music and craftsmanship 
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8 Indian places where traditional puppetry is still practiced

From Rajasthan’s colourful string puppets to Kerala’s temple shadow plays, these eight destinations keep the age-old art of puppet shows in India alive through local stories, music and skilled performers

DEBOLINA ROY

Puppetry is a form of theatre in which performers bring dolls, figures or silhouettes to life using strings, rods, their hands or light and shadow. In India, this art has deep historical roots, with references to puppet theatre in ancient literary traditions and the Natya Shastra, a Sanskrit text on performing arts. Over centuries, different regions developed their own styles, materials and storytelling techniques. Some puppets dance to folk music, while others recreate episodes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

8 places to experience traditional puppet shows in India:

Nadia district, West Bengal, Putul Naach: It includes traditional rod-puppet performances in which large figures are moved with rods as performers present dramatic folk stories
Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, Bommalattam: It ombines strings and rods to control large, richly dressed puppets, allowing performers to create detailed movements and expressive gestures
Palakkad, Kerala, Shadow Puppetry: Kerala’s Tholpavakoothu is traditionally performed at night in temple courtyards, especially during festivals dedicated to the goddess Bhadrakali
Mysuru and coastal Karnataka, Gombeyata: It is a string-puppet tradition known for elaborate costumes and figures influenced by the region’s Yakshagana theatre
Kundhei-Putul tradition, Odisha: Odisha is also home to Kundhei, a string-puppet tradition in which carved wooden figures are manipulated by strings to enact stories from mythology and local folklore
Raghurajpur, Odisha, Ravana Chhaya: Odisha’s Ravana Chhaya uses small, uncoloured leather puppets to cast striking silhouettes on a screen, giving the form its distinctive visual style
Nimmalakunta, Andhra Pradesh, Tholu Bommalata: It is a shadow-puppet tradition that uses large, translucent leather figures to create colourful images on a lit screen
Jaipur, Rajasthan, Kathputli: Rajasthan’s Kathputli tradition features colourful wooden puppets dressed in bright costumes, controlled by strings and accompanied by folk music
Also read:10 beautiful fishing villages in India you can actually visit

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