String Puppet (Kathputli)

National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy

Title : String Puppet (Kathputli)

Accession No : 60/7/2127 (2)

"This is a string puppet which is locally known as Kathputli in Rajasthan. The puppet showcases a male character and it possibly resembles a soldier. The face of the puppet is made of wood and it has beautifully carved features which are painted with bright colours to define its facial features. The facial features of the puppet have protruding eyes, a distinct looking moustache as well as a beard and his head is decorated with a stylised red-coloured cap. The body of the puppet is adorned with a brown-coloured lower garment while his chest is covered with a blue-coloured garment which has pink-coloured sleeves on it. He can be seen holding a black-coloured shield in his left-hand and a sword in his right-hand."

Gallery

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60721272B.JPG
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Source

  • RepositoryNational Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy
  • CollectionMuseum Collection

Provenance

  • CountryIndia
  • StateRajasthan

Condition

  • ConditionAverage
  • Action NoteCR; Slightly Damaged; Faded Colour

Contributor

  • Community / TribeBhat

Dimensions

  • Measurement (CMS)55 x 21 x 9
  • 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.

Description

  • Description"This is a string puppet which is locally known as Kathputli in Rajasthan. The puppet showcases a male character and it possibly resembles a soldier. The face of the puppet is made of wood and it has beautifully carved features which are painted with bright colours to define its facial features. The facial features of the puppet have protruding eyes, a distinct looking moustache as well as a beard and his head is decorated with a stylised red-coloured cap. The body of the puppet is adorned with a brown-coloured lower garment while his chest is covered with a blue-coloured garment which has pink-coloured sleeves on it. He can be seen holding a black-coloured shield in his left-hand and a sword in his right-hand."
  • Inscription/Markings No
  • Reference"Jain, Jyotindra and Aarti Aggarwala. National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum, New Delhi. Ahmedabad: Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd., 1989. Chattopadhaya, Kamaladevi. Handicrafts of India. New Delhi: Indian Council for Cultural Research, 1975."
  • KeywordPuppet, String, Rajasthan, Wood, Cloth, Kathputli, Doll