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There was a time when Rajasthan’s traditional puppetry shows attracted large crowds at various private and public functions. But the evolution of new modes of entertainment has marginalised puppetry at large here. Rajasthan’s popular folklore has always been a favourite medium of entertainment since the Royal times. Narrating tales of chivalry of great rulers, the puppet shows have always tried to bring alive the bygone era while leaving a deep impression on everyone, particularly children. Today this popular art form is losing its sheen with its audience clinging to new modes of entertainment. With television, cinemas, theatres dominating the entertainment industry, a community of agricultural labourers called ‘Bhat’ practicing this traditional business in Jaipur’s Kathputali Nagar find it hard to make a living through puppetry shows. "Earlier, there were no televisions or cinema. We used to perform our puppet shows before the kings, zamindars and at almost all community fetes. But now that phase has gone. Today things are very expensive and with every household having televisions, our puppet shows have lost its importance," says Shadir, puppet seller. According to puppet makers, in the absence of proper markets, they are compelled to sell off their products to showroom owners at low cost. Meanwhile, some feel that the lost glory of puppet can be revived if these shows are organised to spread awareness on current social issues or incidents. Different types of puppets are used in traditional puppetry. The differences exist not only in names, but also in form, structure and manipulation techniques.The different traditional forms are glove, rod, string, string-rod and shadow puppets. The history of puppetry
in India dates back to around 5th century B.C. The early puppet shows
in India mostly dealt with histories of great kings, princes and
heroes and also political satire. Religious portrayals in puppetry
developed in South India with shadow puppets performing stories from Ramayana
and Mahabarata, the epics. — ANI
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