String puppets or marionettes have a prominent presence in the Indian cultural traditions. The features of string puppets are: The puppets are generally 8-9 inch miniature figures chiselled out of wood.
Oil colour is used to paint the wood with skin colour and add other facial features such as eyes, lips, nose, etc.
Small wooden pipes are created with the body to form the limbs. The body is then covered with colourful miniature dress and stitched.
Miniature jewellery and other accessories are attached to give a realistic feel.
Strings are attached to small holes in the hands, head and back of the body which are then controlled by the puppeteer.
Some of the popular examples of string puppetry in India are:
Kathputli
The traditional string puppets of the Rajasthan area known as Kathputli, which derives its name from ‘kath’ meaning wood and ‘putli’ meaning doll. The puppets are covered in traditionally bright Rajasthani dress. The show is accompanied by a dramatic folk music. A unique feature of the puppets is the absence of legs. The strings are attached to the finger of the puppeteer.
Kundhei
The string puppets of Odisha are known as Kundhei. They are made of light wood and are dressed in long skirts. The puppets have more joints, thus giving the puppeteer more flexibility. The strings are attached to a triangular prop. There is a marked influence of Odissi dance on Kundhei puppet shows.
Gombeyatta
It is the traditional puppet show of Karnataka. They are styled and designed on the various characters of the Yakshagana theatres. A unique feature of this puppetry is that more than one puppeteer is used to manipulate the puppets.
Bommalattam
Bommalattam is the puppetry indigenous to the region of Tamil Nadu. It combines features of rod and string puppetry. The strings are attached to an iron ring which is worn by the puppeteer on his head. The Bommalattam puppets are the largest and heaviest marionettes found in India, with some of them as large as 4.5 ft in height and 10 kg in weight. The Bommalattam theatre has four distinct stages – Vinayak Puja, Komali, Amanattam and Pusenkanattam.
