Puppets of Rajasthan

   The puppets in Rajasthan are one of the popular sources of entertainment in the state.The art of the puppetry is practiced by a community of agricultural laborers of Rajasthan.Knowing as bhats these people have been  associated with Rajasthani string puppetry to carry forward their traditional occupation.Though they belong to Nagaur area in the Marwar region.They travel all through the countryside to exhibit their skills.

   In the puppet shows of Rajasthan there are number of wooden dummy dolls that are dressed in bright and colorful attires.These puppets are tied with string that the puppeteer uses to move them around.The miniature stage is set up with the help of a cot which laid by length.The puppeteer tacks his puppets over a rope joined to the upper legs of cots.The cots are covered with sheets in order to conceal the puppeteer from the view of the public.He moves the jointed limbs of the puppets with the help of the strings attached to each of them.Large beats of the Dholaks announce the starting of the puppet show.Throughout the show there is hooting and whistling by the Puppeteers.Each of the puppet shows of Rajasthan has atheme different from others.One of the most popular themes is that of dialogues of Amar Singh Rathore from Nagaur.The Plays are usually narrated by the female member of the troupe.The narration is accompanied with appropriate songs and beats on the drums that are in perfect harmony with the movement of the puppets.The shows,usually lasting an hour are enjoyed by the people  of all age groups.