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Puppetry

Storytelling through traditional puppets

Description

Puppetry, an ancient folk art, thrives as traditional entertainment in West Bengal's village fairs. Reflecting myths, legends, and epics, it manifests in three distinct styles: Beni Putul (Glove puppetry), Dang Putul (Rod puppetry), and Taar Putul or Suto Putul (String puppetry). Crafted from clay, paper maché, wood, or Shola, these puppets don vibrant attire, embodying diverse characters. Revered by puppeteers, about 200 of whom practice professionally in hubs like Muragacha and Sonamukhi, these artisans move in troupes, earning their livelihood through this art form. Each puppeteer carries a sense of devotion, considering their craft and puppets sacred, preserving this cherished tradition.

Repertoire

Traditional Discription:

Traditionally the themes were sourced from epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata; different folk tales like Behula Lakshminder, Manasa Mangal, Savitri Satyaban; historical stories like Bhakti movement of Nimai, Raja Harishchandra, Laila Majnu, Sadhak Ramprasad, Begum Asman Tara, Alif Laila, Bhakta Prahlad etc. Musical instruments like Dhol, Tabla, Harmonium, Flute, Kartal and Naal were used and were all sourced from Ranaghat and Kolkata. There were elaborate costumes for the puppets and they were adorned in saree, dhoti, punjabi, velvet clothes, ghagra, earrings and bangles made of beads etc. which were sourced from Nadia, Bardhaman and Kolkata.

Contemporary Discription:

Elements from theatre, jatra and films are now introduced in puppetry to increase popularity. Stories from popular Bengali films have been adopted by the artists. Puppetry is also used for social campaigns and stories on the Environment, Sanitation, Child Marriage, HIV/AIDS, Education, Kannya Sree, and Dowry are also developed and enacted. The costumes of the puppets have also changed and nowadays costumes include a coat, tie, pants and salwar kameez.

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