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Leather or Shadow Puppets
 Leather
puppetry is an ancient art which existed in the third century in Karnataka
and Andhra Pradesh. At present, the leather puppetry is extensively
found in Chitradurga, Ballary and Kolar districts. The puppeteers following
this art are known as 'Gomberamas' or 'Kille kyatas'. These troupes
numbering 40 are the only nomadic clan practicing this profession.
The striking feature of Shadow puppetry is that, they
create a world of fantasy and colour just behind the screen. Their uniqueness
lies in their shadow performance. In reality, in such a show, the actual
puppet is concealed behind a screen and only its shadow is visible to
the audience, requiring enormous skills to present a shadow puppet show.
The brilliance of illiterate puppeteers finds expression
in breathing life into a piece of skin and moulding it into different
roles behind a thin backdrop illustrating the creative urge to enliven
the show.
Structure
The leather puppets are made of either goat or deer skin
which is painted with vegetable dyes. Modernization has, however, taught
the players to make leather puppets by using simple plastic x-ray sheets
replacing the traditional animal skin. The leather puppets are flat structures
and are transparent. The arms, legs and head of the puppet are movable.
Music
The musical narration is simple and vivid, lending commendable
support to the visual depiction. The extempore prose narration is interspersed
with anecdotes and incidents. The indigenous musical instruments comprise
of 'mrudanga' and the 'paware'. The sticks in 'paware' when rubbed against
each other produce a peculiar but thrilling sound.
The puppet show requires a simple stage. A white screen
is important since it is behind this that the puppets are played and on
which shadows of the performing puppets are cast. The puppeteers hide
themselves from the audience's view behind a thick black blanket. A lamp
is hung behind the white screen. The reflection of the light falls on
the puppets whose shadows ultimately appear on the transparent white cotton
screen.
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