Glove Puppet Forms in India - Art and Culture Notes for UPSC Exams!

Puppetry, according to some scholars, has been around for thousands of years. It is mentioned in many folk tales, ballads, and even folk songs. Almost every type of puppet may be found in India. Glove puppets are popular in Kerala, West Bengal, Orissa, and Uttar Pradesh, among other states. Hand puppets, sleeve puppets, and palm puppets are all terms for glove puppets. 

Puppetry in India is one of the most important topics in the Art and Culture Section of the UPSC IAS exam.

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Glove Puppet Forms of India

The following are some of the popular glove puppet forms of India:

Sakhi Kundhei Nata

• Sakhi Kundhei Nata is a form of glove puppetry prevalent in Orissa, particularly in Odisha’s Kendrapara district.
•  Local artists in and around Palakana, a tiny town in Kendrapara, continue to perform this style of art.
• Puppeteers are typically organised into groups and travel from village to village, conducting shows.
• Wooden dolls are attached to strings that can be pulled and released to regulate their movement.
• Various expressions relate tales from the Puranas and present social life by plucking the strings.
• A group of musicians performs music and provides background narration for stories.
• The plays are largely based on Krishna and Radha legends. It is well-known in the districts of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

Pavakoothu

• Pavakoothu is famous in Kerala.
• It was created in the 18th century as a result of Kathakali’s influence.
• Paints, small and thin bits of gilt tin, peacock feathers, and other embellishments adorn the puppet’s face.
• The manipulator reaches into the bag and moves the puppet’s hands and head.
• The musical instruments that were used during the performance
• The Mahabharat and Ramayan are the most common topics.

Beni Putul 

• Beni Putul translates to “commercial dolls” as the nomadic members of the ‘Bede’ or ‘Bedia’ community who put on puppet performances for a living.
• It was used as a weapon of revolt against British rule. This was popular in the districts of East Midnapur, Murshidabad, and 24 Parganas.
• Beni Putul is the name given to the type of glove puppetry in West Bengal.
• The ‘Plait’ that ladies create on their heads by uniting the three-part interwoven hair into a single circular group is known as Beni or Binuni.
• Glove puppets, like a plait, are constructed of three parts: a head (typically made of wood or paper), two arms (usually made of wood), and a long skirt (usually made of cloth).
• After the performance, the puppet is folded into a round, plait-like object. That’s why it’s known as Beni Putul.

Also, read Folk Dances Of India State-wise List for UPSC Art and Culture.

Puppets Used Across the Globe

Puppetry comes in a variety of forms all throughout the world. The following are some of the different types of puppets used around the world.

• Puppets are lighted using Ultra Violet (UV) light in a black light puppet.
• Bunraku Puppets are puppets that are used in Japan.
• Carnival Puppet – Popular in the United States and South Africa
• Puppets with Light Curtains
• Motekar is a type of shadow puppet that is popular in Indonesia.
• Object Puppet – This puppet is made out of common household items.

Importance of Puppetry

Puppetry is important because it can aid in the development of the following skills in youngsters.

• Communication and language abilities
• Aids in the development of social and emotional skills
• It aids in the development of listening abilities.
• It encourages them to use their creativity.

Decline of Glove Puppet Forms

• Glove puppet forms are competed with by electronic media, a popular form of entertainment. People prefer to watch epic stories on television like the Ramayana and Mahabharata rather than watching puppetry.
• Glove Puppetry is typically used to tell religious and mythological stories.
• Glove Puppetry does not address current socio-economic challenges in today’s globe.
• In terms of screenplay, lighting, sound, and other stage effects, puppetry is outdated.
• Due to limited patronage in today’s world, Glove puppetry is losing its significance.

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UPSC Mains Practice Question

Write a note about the cultural importance of the Glove puppet forms in India and discuss their reasons for the decline.

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