Origin

Although India has abundance of puppets in various styles coming from all over the country, and each part has different puppet forms, that were the source of entertainment in those days.  The community who made Kathputli puppets were usually nomadic in nature, and took to the roads to do shows for people of all walks of life. They roamed around in the Western region of India and earned their livelihood by entertaining people.  Be it in the cities or villages, or even palaces, they were always welcomed for their performances. The people would sit around a large tree, or form a stage to do the act. These shows were always accompanied by live musicals and had a lot of lively singing and foot tapping dancing that the puppets did to enthrall their fans !  Sometimes voice enacting were also done between the puppeteer and the puppets, like a fun conversation !  

String puppets were made from wood from the mango trees, and their faces were hand painted to give the look of real men and women.  Costume was chosen not to reflect the imagination but was common reality of the land. The puppeteers who made them were generally the ones who conducted the shows, sang songs, and played lively music.  Nevertheless, they are given loud and festive clothing, colorful, with zari work, (see Link) over silk or bandhini style of clothes. The puppets were made extremely colorful to give life to the dancing them and entertain the many eyes that looked upon them for their entertainment.   The stories were usually in praise of their kings, their acts of braveness in wars or the stories of how their kings got married to their queens.

We see puppets wearing the same daily wear that men of rural Rajasthan wear.  The male doll is dressed in turbans on their heads, also called puggri / puggar, (a head dress made out of natural fiber mostly cottons, rolled and styled to wear on the head by hand each they had to take it off, mostly at nights before bedtime).  The pagri is said to be a symbol of honor and respect of a man, and is worn everywhere. Then again, these men puppets had moustaches and sometimes even beard to show masculinity and valor.  

The women kathputlis are also adorned similarly, as one of them, as their own reflection.  They had their head covered with a veil, which was a mark of respect for women and were had jewelry on them.  A big skirt or ghagra around their waist and a blouse to cover their bodies, with a veil on their heads, these puppets were made with extreme respect and dignity.  We do not find any dolls that are made to look ugly or like a witch, scary or anything negative.

Process

Each puppet takes about a 7 – 10 days to make.  Wood from the mango trees are taken and carved out to look like a face.  Then the arms and body, and legs are made out of cotton and rags, saw dust from the carpenters etc.  Colourful dressings are hand cut and stitched together to fit the form. Fine accessories are drawn and their face is hand painted.  

Strings are connected with the hands and waist to make them dance to their tunes !  So, the waists, neck, hands are manipulated with the strings to make them move with the music.  These puppets are even named by the puppeteers who take them along with them for their shows, almost treating them as family.  It is like a strange connection they have with them, and feel the puppets are nothing without their puppeteer who creates them, and the puppeteer is useless without his puppets that he uses to entertain and maintain his livelihood.  

These puppets vary in sizes.  They can be 16 – 20 inches tall in height and are otherwise very light.

Uses

Puppet shows were the most common source of entertainment for all age groups, and the main attraction to all festivals, gatherings, family events and functions.  Tales were told of bravery, valor, love and happiness based on the life of their kings and brave soldiers. They would always be to glorify the kings and sing their praise to the people away from the palaces.  The puppeteer thus not only had the responsibility of entertaining people of the land, but also to spread social awareness, education, and teach moral values through stories and songs.

The puppeteer would sing along with his aides who would play music for each show.  Special shows were especially conducted to welcome the kings of neighboring states, and even the Moghuls.  This art was patronized by all the kings in Rajasthan and great respect was given to the artists who not only created the beautiful vibrant dolls, but sang and enacted a play to entice the audience.  To this day, puppet shows are conducted and children enjoy them as much as adults. Puppets are also used as decorations in a house, or on doors as a welcome gesture for the guests.

The puppeteers also make extremely colorful chains of hangings of birds, camels, horses and elephants.  These hangings are made of puppet material stuffing and strung with metal threads to give it support.  These bird hangings are very common in India and almost every home has them as they are beautiful and hangs to give a colorful, vibrant feel and effect.  These bird hangings are also supposed to bring in positive energy to a house. These hangings also have tiny bells which tinker when brushed across, bringing sweet soft music of to the ears.

Apart from puppets and bird hangings, the puppeteers also make stuffed toys and dolls as decorations.  All these are hand crafted individually and is patiently done to bring out lovely colorful elements of nature like elephants, birds, horses and other assorted animals.  Again, as all folk arts, these animals are all peace loving and happy animals. All these animals are created with the inspiration of the land they belong to. Rajasthan is a land of kings, and forts are still existent to prove history and are reminisced.  The Rajput clan, or the kinship of Rajasthan, is known for their bravery and holding their dignity at all circumstances.

About our artist

Around 1500 years ago, a community in Rajasthan, called the Bhat community took upon themselves to keep this art alive.  Hailing from Rajasthan, and being part of the puppet community, Ashok and Mithu are extremely hard working artists.  They devote their entire time making puppets and stuffed toys, and traditional home decorations.

Vicky and Ashok Bhat belong to this community and are very simple men who live with his families in New Delhi, in an area that is known as the Kathputli Colony, or the Puppet Colony.  They are extremely hard working artist devoting their entire time making puppets, stuffed toys, and other traditional home decorations.

Their ancestors performed in the courts of the great kings, and entertained kings like Raja Man Singh.  Whether for entertaining the kings courts, or performing to welcome other kings, their ancestors enjoyed great respect and honor in the courts of the kings.  Puppetry is in his blood and he knows nothing but puppet making and making them perform. Though making and selling puppets is not advantageous for a livelihood, they do not want to give up this traditional profession.  Sadly, this art is slowly dying and Irakoi hopes that through our effort, we can together give the credit and recognition that these artists truly deserve, for keeping alive an age old art form. In our endeavor to bring out the arts on a global platform, we want to provide substantial income to these artists so that they can also give back to their families and children a better life.  

Vicky also performs traditional Rajasthani folk dances, drums away at functions and ceremonies, and performs to enjoy and to make people happy.  Through his entertainment, he says, “If I can take away people’s stress and sadness, through my music or performance, I am rewarded, even if it is for a few minutes”.

Hailing from Rajasthan, and being part of the puppet community, Ashok and Mithu are extremely hard working artists.  They devote their entire time making puppets and stuffed toys, and traditional home decorations.

Support our puppeteers with your unique house decorating ideas.  These are not only unique but beautiful and colorful  With each purchase you are encouraging them to continue this age old art and tradition in India.  Let them know they have a friend in you.

For your information or queries, please feel free to get in touch with us, at sales@irakoi.com