Odisha has a rich tradition of puppetry. Various forms of puppetry such as Glove (Kandhei), Rod (Kathi Kandhei) , String (Suta Kandhei) and Shadow (Ravan Chhaya) puppetry are all found in different districts of Odisha.
Now, as promised, I'm revealing the suspense I had talked about in my previous post- that photo was of a String Puppetry Show! Here goes another click from the same:
In the recently held Luptapraya Loka Kala Utsav in Bhanja Kala Mandap, Bhubaneswar, Maa Jagatjanani Kandhei Theatre Group of Badakodanda, Ganjam district, Odisha, presented a most amazing string puppet performance! Generally, the theme is mythology or other folk tales but this group not just presented mythology beautifully aided by Odia dialogues and songs, but also brought in a most attractive innovation to wow the audience....A novel Naagin Dance like you would never ever have seen before!
Awesome string puppets with the Naags (cobras) jiving as ferociously as in real....the 'Fear' multiplies as more and more Naags are slowly lowered on stage...simply superb & unlike ever seen before! Imagine thin and fat snakes on stage almost looking and dancing like REAL! The video HAS to be watched to believe this:
I have been dazzled by this innovation- using traditional to fuse with the modern, to grab attention of everyone. Indeed, this is needed in every art, not just puppetry, to keep our rich Indian arts alive. Kudos to the Maa Jagatjanani Kandhei Theatre Group of Badakodanda in my district of origin- Ganjam, Odisha for such heart-warming, awe-inspiring novelty!
I'm glad I've been able to attend this event showcasing dying regional arts, where everyone was invited yet only few made it- probably due to lack of awareness or interest or both.
I'm proud I was in the audience and now able to present our Incredible India's Odisha state's rich heritage through my blog and Youtube, to the whole world!
**Linking to Two Shoes Tuesday- Invitation and Imagine, ABC Wednesday (Letter G- Glove, Ganjam, Group, grab, glad)
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| Source: http://ccrtindia.gov.in/puppetforms.php |
Now, as promised, I'm revealing the suspense I had talked about in my previous post- that photo was of a String Puppetry Show! Here goes another click from the same:
In the recently held Luptapraya Loka Kala Utsav in Bhanja Kala Mandap, Bhubaneswar, Maa Jagatjanani Kandhei Theatre Group of Badakodanda, Ganjam district, Odisha, presented a most amazing string puppet performance! Generally, the theme is mythology or other folk tales but this group not just presented mythology beautifully aided by Odia dialogues and songs, but also brought in a most attractive innovation to wow the audience....A novel Naagin Dance like you would never ever have seen before!
Awesome string puppets with the Naags (cobras) jiving as ferociously as in real....the 'Fear' multiplies as more and more Naags are slowly lowered on stage...simply superb & unlike ever seen before! Imagine thin and fat snakes on stage almost looking and dancing like REAL! The video HAS to be watched to believe this:
I have been dazzled by this innovation- using traditional to fuse with the modern, to grab attention of everyone. Indeed, this is needed in every art, not just puppetry, to keep our rich Indian arts alive. Kudos to the Maa Jagatjanani Kandhei Theatre Group of Badakodanda in my district of origin- Ganjam, Odisha for such heart-warming, awe-inspiring novelty!
I'm glad I've been able to attend this event showcasing dying regional arts, where everyone was invited yet only few made it- probably due to lack of awareness or interest or both.
I'm proud I was in the audience and now able to present our Incredible India's Odisha state's rich heritage through my blog and Youtube, to the whole world!
**Linking to Two Shoes Tuesday- Invitation and Imagine, ABC Wednesday (Letter G- Glove, Ganjam, Group, grab, glad)
amazing
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Hope U watched d video- it's mind blowing! :)
DeleteThis is a great initiative, Amrita. I watched Puppet show in Udaipur and I loved it. unfortunately, we are so engrossed with movies and technology we neglect our traditional modes of entertainment ...an art like puppetry needs more focus and perhaps a better presentation to increase its appeal to common people.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Moon! Actually, puppetry is there in many states still we tend 2 associate with Rajasthan/Gujarat only! Odisha has most of the forms thriving and need encouragement further. People should encourage them by calling them to perform in office functions, marriages etc. It is much better spending money by giving to these conservers of dying arts than splurging on djs, celebs & so on...
DeleteSounds interesting Amrita. Last week I was there in Odisha and had a great wildlife experience in Chilika. Lovely place it was. Next time I can think of having some culturalistic experience as well :)
ReplyDeleteThat's excellent Gowthama! Glad 2 hear U enjoyed at Chilika..very picturesque place! Yes U must definitely experience the rich culture of Odisha too! Come back soon! :)
DeleteI love all the videos and info you have shared about the event, Amrita :) Kudos! Keep sharing more!
ReplyDeleteIt's a pity that many are not aware of such treasures in our state and country.
We go to other countries, know about their famous festivals etc, but are ignorant about our own cultural heritage...
Everyone's interest & participation is needed to encourage the talented artists and craftsmen & help sustain such arts and crafts for the future.
The video with the snake-puppet dances is so REAL! Had the puppet snake-charmer not been sharing the same stage at the same time, one could have got mistaken and wondered how they managed with REAL snakes & made them DANCE so crazily :) :D
I'll show the videos to my daughter. Am sure she'll love them too!
U r so right Anita! Thanks for this detailed comment! Yes children must be shown this art- in fact puppetry is used as an information and education medium too...so entertaining at same time! These artists must be encouraged always!
DeleteThanks a lot!
ReplyDeletesuch fun!
ReplyDeleteROG, ABCW
Absolutely ROG! Thanks for stopping by! :)
DeleteAmrita this was wonderful! I so agree with you that we must infuse traditional arts and culture with a bit of contemporary flavor to continue to draw the interest of new generations and present things that are fresh and entertaining. I learned much good information from this post, and I absolutely loved the snakes... as long as they're not real. Real snakes I do not like one bit! :-))
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Josie! Yes that is the novelty- puppet snakes looking and behaving so much like scary real ones! :)
DeleteThe snake puppet show was just so good...brilliant in fact. The puppeteers made them seem so real. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Glad U loved it! :D
DeleteI love puppetry, an art that is timeless. The 'snake' charming was so realistic.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Joy! Truly timeless and attractive art!
DeleteWhen I was a child puppets were popular. There were puppet shows on TV and we had puppet toys. I guess everyone including children are too busy with techno gadgets to find fun with such simple toys.
ReplyDeleteYes Patricia I do agree! Alongwith children loving gadgets more, parents also do not spend much time with kids and take them around to different shows...which is sad. Thanks for dropping by! :)
Delete