Rajasthani Male Puppet Figure

National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy

Title : Rajasthani Male Puppet Figure

Accession No : 60/7/2127 (25)

A male puppet depicted in Kurta and Salwar and headgear is depicted here. The headgear is not decorated or ornamented. The puppet has a wooden head, large eyes, curvy moustache and dense beard. The puppet is depicted with legs, which is rare to be found in Rajasthani puppetry.

Gallery

607212725A.jpg
607212725B.jpg

Source

  • RepositoryNational Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy
  • CollectionMuseum Collection

Provenance

  • CountryIndia
  • StateRajasthan

Condition

  • ConditionAverage
  • RemarksDamaged at Places and clothes torn
  • Action NoteCR

Contributor

  • Community / TribeBhat

Dimensions

  • Measurement (CMS)57.5 x 11.5 x 10
  • Weight (GRMS)0.00

Significance

  • Socio economicKathputli is a string puppet performance and is an ancient and well-known form of folk entertainment. It is one of the major tourist attractions of Rajasthan. They are a well known source of amusement in the state. The puppets are made and performed by a society of agricultural labourers, Bhat community of Rajasthan. These people are connected with puppetry to carry forward their traditional profession. Originally, they belong to the Nagaur area of the Marwar region; they travel all over the country to showcase the puppetry theatre. It was patronised by many ruling families of the state and later got popularised all over the region.
  • ArtisticThe puppets are usually two feet in height having a wooden head with a huge nose and large eyes. The rest of the body is prepared of colourful and bright pieces of cloth and stuffed clothes which also allow free movement. The puppet has a long thread for the head which reaches the manipulator and then joins the middle, the threads from the two hands of the puppet are tied to the hands of the manipulator. The puppets of Rajasthan do not have legs but are covered with a large pleated skirt.

Description

  • DescriptionA male puppet depicted in Kurta and Salwar and headgear is depicted here. The headgear is not decorated or ornamented. The puppet has a wooden head, large eyes, curvy moustache and dense beard. The puppet is depicted with legs, which is rare to be found in Rajasthani puppetry.
  • Inscription/Markings No
  • ReferenceChattopadhaya, Kamaladevi. Handicrafts of India. New Delhi: Indian Council for Cultural Research, 1975.
  • KeywordKathputli, Rajasthan, Wood, Man, Skirt, Tradition, Occupation, Bhat, Soldier