Puppetry is one of the oldest art forms to still be around. Please walk me through the history and evolution of this art form.

The history of puppetry can be represented best by a Sanskrit shloka from the twelfth chapter of the Bhagavata, which says:

yathā dāru-mayī yoṣit
nṛtyate kuhakecchayā
evam īśvara-tantro 'yam
īhate sukha-duḥkhayoḥ

Here’s what this means: just as the wooden puppet dances to the desire of the puppeteer, so this world, controlled by Isvara, envelops both happiness and misery.

We find the reference of the wooden string puppet in Bhagavata, which is at least 5,000 years old. In the tenth century in poet Rajashekara’s Balaramayana, we find reference to the mechanised puppets of Sita, which make sound by the movement of lips.

Later, in eleventh century in the stories of Kashmiri poet Somadeva, we find reference to Yantra Putika or the mechanised puppet of Swayamprabha, who is the daughter of Maya. Some 300 to 400 years ago, there was an exchange of knowledge between India and Europe, India and Egypt, which has also travelled to China. This is all about wooden puppets.

Shadow puppetry is another form of puppetry. A shadow play reference comes in the Ramayana, where Hanuman is flying over the ocean and the Sun is the source of light. The shadow of Hanuman appears in the water, and Maharishi Valmiki poetically describes it as Simhika trying to capture the shadow.

Later in 1912, we see a revival of puppetry in Mysore, Tumkur and Eachanur. Puppetry in India is based on Natyashastra, and there are different forms of puppetry all across India.

There are various other art forms like painting, dancing, sculpting. What distinct expression does the puppetry art form allow you to explore?

The transmission of knowledge through puppets and storytelling using puppets are very different. Puppets are cute, they don’t have ego, and if I can get the control systems right, I can make them listen to me (she laughs).

A puppeteer needs to have qualities like creativity, have knowledge of literature, music, sound and light as well as stagecraft… how do you manage all these things?

Here’s what it takes to make a puppet. First, selecting the suitable wood, then carefully craft the wood, which requires cutting and carving tools. Basic drawing and painting skills to make the face so as to show the facial expression of the character. Then limbs are attached for movement.

Fortunately, we have simple systems that are effective compared to Western methodologies to bring out the balance, movement, and control systems. The joints come within the puppet whereas the control systems are outside the puppets, designed and created for the movement of the puppet.

After this, we need to define the timeline of the story to be presented. After all the stringing and control systems are tested, we start costuming, for which sewing skills are necessary. I make my own jewellery for the puppets with wood and foils. All these are made as prescribed in the Natyashastra, and we adhere to the traditional format.

After all this, the music, dialogues and script follow. Puppetry comes under proscenium theatre, so I have to design the stage and curtain and lighting, which are very important in visual arts. Not to mention, many rehearsals.

With all of these, production takes one-and-a-half years from conceptualisation to bringing it to stage. I have brought out productions like Harishchandra, Vijayanagara Vaibhava, Rajasuya Yaga, Abhijnaana Shakuntalam, and Malavikagnimitram.

Also Read: Navaratri Reflection On 2,000-Year-Old Tamil Verses In Praise Of Durga

Tejesh K

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