| Abstract: | The article describes string puppet forms and performance of the Tanjavur district and Karnataka. The puppets of Tanjavur district, known as Bomalattam, possibly date back to 200 BCE. They saw a revival during the 19th century. The Kumbakonam brothers Shri Krishnamurthi and Shri G.S. Mani, and their sons, are the most well known protagonists of the art. The Yakshagana puppets of Karnataka seem to have existed since the 9th century, but in 1928 a fire destroyed all the huts and all the puppets, save one by the legendary puppeteer and teacher Katavi Basvanappa (1820-1912). The only living puppeteer is the 80-year-old Padmanabhan Kamath. Source of Abstract: Provided by Publisher |
