Kathputlis of Rajasthan are Marionettes or string puppets used in the puppet theatre, native to Rajasthan. Kathputli is derived from two words ‘kath’ meaning wood and ‘putli’ – a doll or figure.
Rajasthan puppets have their own unique specialty. They are normally carved out of a single piece of wood. The headgear is also carved out at the same time. They have elongated, stylized eyes. The puppets have no legs and movements are free. Their bodies and limbs are made of mango wood and stuffed with cotton. They are draped in long trailing skirts and articulated so skillfully as to suggest movement of legs inside. The garments are designed to resemble the medieval Rajasthani attire.
Being a string marionette, it is controlled by a single string that passes it from the top of the puppet over the puppeteers. Rajasthani string puppets are perhaps the only example of their kind in the world where a control or cross is not used for manipulation. In other words, all the strings are attached to the puppeteers’ fingers directly, which demand a great deal of virtuosity. A slight jerk of the string causes the puppets to produce movements of the hands, neck and shoulder.
The male and female puppets bear a strong resemblance to the Rajput miniature paintings of Rajasthan. The style of head dress, the shape of the eye, the beard and moustache style are used to suggest the character of the puppet. The male figures are generally divided into two categories: Hindu Rajas and Mughal Nawabs. A beard parted in the center would connote a Hindu character, whereas a full beard suggests a Muslim character. Then there are women characters, notably dancers. And then there are many animals like horse, camel, elephant, crocodile and snake.
Puppet making is systematically done in seven different steps. Wood plank is measured with the hand and selected to be cut for the face of the puppet. Axe is used shape the wood to impart a basic shape of the face by giving the slope of the node , the process is called ‘dol dena’.
After this the shoulder is marked onto the wood. The nose is then chiselled, the process is called ‘ Nak banana’. Once the carving work is done, the puppet head is smoothened with emery papery (Ghisai).
The puppets have elongated stylized eyes and the faces are generally painted a lighter shade of yellow with a touch of orange in it (Rangai). Natural colours made of minerals were used. White clay and a bit of turmeric added to it was used to create the colour for the face. Soot collected at the base of a broken earthen pot was used for black.
The wooden end of the neck of the carved head is covered with cotton. The hands are first created in cloth and then stuffed in with cotton. Now the body of the puppet is ready to be clothed. Other than the head, the rest of the body is made of cloth. Puppet is then decorated with sequins and beads to make the puppet look attractive.
The kathputli tradition of Rajasthan is an ancient art and its practitioners have entertained, made social commentary, and passed down important information for countless generations. The traditional set of puppets for the Amar Singh Rathore play used to be of 52 characters. But now the puppeteers use only a few characters whose identity they have modified to suit the current needs of the public.
GI Tag Registration Date : 10 July 2008
GI Tag Number : 68
Certificate Number : 76
Geographical Area : Rajasthan
Special Cover Release Date : 18 August 2021
Cancellation : Jaipur 302 001
Type : GI Tag Cover
This cover is issued with 7 other covers as a Presentation Pack titled "Special Cover & Cancellation - Geographical Indications of Rajasthan" priced at Rs. 100 per pack. Total quantity issued 2500 Nos.
Enlarged View of Illustration
Back Side Scan of Cover
India post has issued a picture post card on Kathputlis of Rajasthan. Details are furnished below
Picture Post Card Issued on 16 October 2021
Rajasthan Postal Circle
Back Side depicting Cancellation at Jaipur - 302001 on 16 October 2021
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