Kathputli Decor Items
from Rajasthan
Native to India, puppet craft is intertwined with Indian art, and heritage since its origination 500 years before Christ. Popular in movies, and art shows, Kathputli craft is a way to tell stories related to Indian history and mythology unknown to the masses. Such is the charm of Kathputli art that there’s even a dance form known as ‘Puppet Dance’. These dance movements closely resemble/imitate the way ‘Kathputli’ dolls move.
It’s not only modern-day poets, actors, and movies that paid tribute to this ancient Indian art. Puppet craft has also been mentioned in Srimad Bhagvat Geeta. Ancient Indian philosophers held puppeteers or puppet art in high regard as it’s always been a way to symbolise the ultimate truths of life. Kathputli Craft is all about blending folklore with craftsmanship in an elegant way that both young and old, rich and poor appreciate.
What Is Puppet Or Kathputli Craft?
In simple terms, ‘Kathputli’ means nothing other than wooden dolls. Puppet craft, or Kathputli Craft, is an ancient form of storytelling that employs intricately crafted puppets to narrate tales from mythology, folklore, and everyday life. The puppet art came to life when the Bhat community of Rajasthan was employed by the wealthy, affluent families or kings to tell them stories of their ancestors and paint them as the best. The popularity of Kathputli dolls in narrating stories of kings and esteemed personalities made the artists spread all over India, Nepal, and even Myanmar.
All these started with wooden dolls to represent the essence of this traditional craft and finally took the form of gloves, shadows, and dolls on rods. Intriguing, right? We will talk about this entire journey and movement of puppet craft in more detail later.
History Of Puppet Craft In India
The roots of Kathputli craft in India delve deep into history, with references dating back thousands of years. From the shadow puppets of South India to the string puppets of Rajasthan, each region boasts its unique style and narrative tradition.
However, it’s true that amidst the immense popularity of puppet craft all over India, Rajasthan is the most known for this art form. And it all began during the kingdom of Amar Singh Rathode of Rajasthan. Reigned in Rajasthan during the reign of Shahjahan, puppeteers of Amar Singh Rathode used to arrange temporary tents using seven bamboo poles and the entire show took place here.
The Kathputli dolls were not entirely made of wood or ‘kath’. It’s the heads and shoulders only that were made of wood while the torso and hands were made of clothes, fabrics and cotton. The strings were attached to different parts of the dolls for easy and effective movements during the narration of the stories.
The puppeteers always traveled with their tools and play essentials. The show only necessitated a crowd or audience willing to watch the performance. Once they found a group of people willing to enjoy the show, puppeteers arranged the tent, the backdrop of the play, and the curtain behind which they used to control the Kathputli dolls. As the setup was there, the play began following the usual theme. But the narrative and stories used to change with each performance. So each time one joined the audience, it never felt the same. Once the show was over, the puppeteers packed up their things and went to find a new group of people as an audience.
The puppet shows were not arranged the way today’s shows are arranged. There used to be no fixed time for the show and the entire arrangement depended on finding the audience.
Kathputli Craft emerged as more than mere entertainment; it became a medium for social commentary, religious expression, and cultural preservation. Puppeteers, often belonging to marginalised communities, used their craft to voice concerns, celebrate festivals, and uphold age-old traditions.
Making Of Puppet Craft
The process of creating Kathputli dolls is a labour of love, precision, patience, and an in-depth understanding of the craft. However, it’s crucial to remember that not all puppet shows involve ‘kathputli’ or wooden dolls. Some are done using shadow play while some use glove puppets or rod puppets. For the string puppet shows, artisans start by carving wooden or clay moulds, shaping them into characters of puppet stories.
Once the moulds of the dolls come alive, artisans dress them up in colourful fabrics, sequins, and embroidery to exude the beauty of regional stories. The details of the puppet are all about giving them forms of man, woman, child or seniors. The meticulous attention to detail in every stitch and embellishment contributes to the puppet's character and narrative.
The strings attached to the dolls allow the puppeteer to manoeuvre the figures with grace and fluidity. The Rajasthani string puppets feature movements by moving the strings and enabling them to dance, move and emote with lifelike precision.
Journey Of Puppet Crafts Throughout The History
From the humble confines of artisan workshops to the grandeur of cultural stages, the journey of puppet crafts is one of evolution and adaptation. While traditional string puppet shows were once a staple of village lives, shadow puppets, rod puppets, and glove puppets now have reached international theatres and exhibitions.
String puppets have always been popular in Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Odisha while shadow puppets in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, glove puppets in Kerala, and rod puppets in Bihar and West Bengal. As time progresses, puppetry has also found a new lease on life in contemporary settings, with artists including modern themes, technology, and storytelling techniques in their performances. Today, puppet craft not only entertains but also educates the audience of Indian culture and heritage.
Kathputli making has reached a level of art or Indian crafts that now homeowners highly favor. Puppet-making under prominent artists like Manoj Bhatt in iTokri has presented us with a collection that we are very proud of. If you are a fan of puppet craft that’s the epitome of storytelling, craftsmanship, and human connection, then welcome iTokri’s Kathputli dolls-inspired keychains, hangings, decorations, candle stands, pens, magnets, and games in your home. Each puppet crafted is not merely a work of art but a vessel for tradition, carrying the stories of generations past into the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide.
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