Puppet of Royal Prince on Ratha

National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy

Title : Puppet of Royal Prince on Ratha

Accession No : 66/7/4260 (13)

The traditional puppet from Andhra Pradesh, Tholu Bommalata can be seen. This appears to be a standing Royal figure in a fighting posture on a Ratha. The Ratha is drawn by Horse with Sarthi holding the rope of the Ratha. The Royal figure is seen bare chested, wearing a dhoti and heavily jewelled. He is also wearing his mojaris. He has a ferocious look over his face and is holding bow and arrow in the action to be displaced. He is seen wearing a well embellished headgear which appears to have inlayed stones, etc. He also has a bag full of arrows on his back. The sarthi is shown orange in colour and wearing a dhoti with polka dots. He is seen wearing jewellery and also a small headgear or turban. Both figures are wearing mojaris and are in a seated posture.

Gallery

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667426013B.jpg
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Provenance

  • StateAndhra Pradesh

Condition

  • ConditionPoor
  • RemarksRestoration Required
  • Action NoteCR

Contributor

  • Community / TribeRao-Reddy

Dimensions

  • Measurement (CMS)100 x 69
  • Weight (GRMS)0.00

Significance

  • Socio economicTholu Bommalata is the shadow puppet tradition of Andhra Pradesh. The group of performers were usually a part of a group of entertainers and travellers who were continuously moving across villages during the entire year. They often sang ballads and provided knowledge of Hindu epics and local folk tales. They often reenacted various stories from Hindu epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata.
  • ArtisticTholu Bommalata is considered unique for their large size. The puppets appear on the stage and a white curtain is set behind. The audience can only view the coloured shadows, but not the actual puppets through the light source.

Description

  • DescriptionThe traditional puppet from Andhra Pradesh, Tholu Bommalata can be seen. This appears to be a standing Royal figure in a fighting posture on a Ratha. The Ratha is drawn by Horse with Sarthi holding the rope of the Ratha. The Royal figure is seen bare chested, wearing a dhoti and heavily jewelled. He is also wearing his mojaris. He has a ferocious look over his face and is holding bow and arrow in the action to be displaced. He is seen wearing a well embellished headgear which appears to have inlayed stones, etc. He also has a bag full of arrows on his back. The sarthi is shown orange in colour and wearing a dhoti with polka dots. He is seen wearing jewellery and also a small headgear or turban. Both figures are wearing mojaris and are in a seated posture.
  • Inscription/Markings Yes
  • Reference"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tholu_bommalata "
  • KeywordPuppet, Thola Bommalata, Andhra, Face, Leather, Shadow, Portrait, Royal, Prince, Rajkumar, Headgear, Ratha, Sarthi, Horse, Warrior, Fight, Bow and Arrow