A Kathputli string puppet of a woman dancer, modern pink costume with gold sequins.
The puppet is operated by a puppeteer making a look around their fingers and uses the strings to move the puppet around, accompanied by ghungru (bells). Kathputli puppet shows tell stories from history and legend. This puppet depicts the character 'Anarkali'. a dancer in the court of Emperor Akbar who has a famous story about her.
Rajasthani puppeteers are traditionally from the Bhatt community and are known by the name Nat Bhatt (those who perform plays). Generally they are travelling people who pass on their skills and the stories they tell from generation to generation. The sutradhar (meaning ‘holder of the strings’), is the main puppeteer. He is accompanied by the bhagavat (narrator-singer) a woman who is usually his wife. There will also be an assistant and musicians who play the drums, cymbals and the harmonium.
All puppeteers say prayers and make rituals before they start the show. At this time they will remember Ganesh, the elephant headed god. He brings good luck and is seen to take care of all puppeteers.
