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The Puppet Show

The Puppet Show

by | Nov 17, 2017 | Art & The Artist

Looks like its Raining Puppets! After my post on the Puppet Making Workshop, I had an opportunity to see a Puppet show at Sankalpa School. I could feel their excitement in the air. They were all curious to see what it was that would enfold before them when the curtains were raised. As an introduction to puppets in India began and the curtain was raised on the Puppet Show, the kids burst out clapping.
The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa

The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa- The Tenali Raman Troupe of puppets

With the Ganapathi puppet seated on a pedestal, the other two puppets were singing and dancing, praising lord Ganapathi. Right from a burning aarathi for the lord’s pooja to the garland of flowers to decorate the Lord, it was as real as it could get. One of the puppets also brought out a placard wishing the children a ‘Happy Children’s Day’. The prayer ended with the two of them falling at the feet of the diety. Mr. Vijay, who is one of the sons of M R Ranganatha Rao, the legendary puppeteer tells me that the Ganapathi puppet in wood is more than 250 years old and has been in their family for generations. They use the ancient form of Mysore Rod Puppetry and also the string puppets. The puppets are all beautifully carved in wood and dressed resplendently.
The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa

The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa- 250 years old Ganapathi Puppet in wood

The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa

The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa- The Aarati used is quite real with the diya burning!

After the prayer, the children were introduced to the dandiya group of puppets. Let me tell you, they were the centre of attraction for the kids in the entire Puppet Show. This was a set of puppets all attached to one ring and the loop at the centre controls their hands. Believe me! The set is quite heavy, though the dexterity with which it was being wielded by the puppeteer, you wouldn’t know it. In fact when they winded up the puppet show, they took the puppets among the kids and all of them held the puppet strings and made them dance. When I was offered a chance, I immediately took it up. It was so much fun…but lots of muscle power too.
The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa

The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa

Then there was the snake and the snake charmer. Right from the dressing of the snake charmer to the snake in banares silk, it was an entertainer. In fact Mr. Vijay jovially brought the snake puppet out among the kids even as the show was going on…some were quite brave and didn’t flinch. I quite remembered my daughter…as we were watching Snow White on TV, I was in tears as the dwarfs were mourning for Snow White and my daughter says, “Why are you crying Amma? It’s not real!” Off course…Silly me! So these days kids are more alert to what’s real and what’s not!
The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa

The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa- The Mysore Rod Puppet

The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa

The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa- The Dandiya Puppet set

The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa

The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa -Curious hands at the strings

The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa

The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa

The Puppet Show also had a play on Tenali Rama and the king. For every dialogue, you could see the corresponding movement and body language of the puppet. It was the scene of the king asking the ministers to tell him the total number of crows in the kingdom and Tenali Rama cleverly says that they are as many as the majesty’s hair. When the king asks for a number, he gives a random number. But the king is not satisfied and says that he will have them counted. To which Tenali Rama replies that if they are found to be less, the crows would be visiting their relatives and if more, then the neighbouring crows must have come for a visit. With this the whole court bursts out laughing and so do we, as we remember this story. The Puppet Show is a beautiful way to remember these stories which lie forgotten in our own childhood.
The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa

The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa -Tenali Rama

The Puppet Show ends on a joyous note where the stage setting is removed and the puppeteers join the kids for a dance along with the puppets…some of the kids being as big and some smaller than the puppets!
The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa

The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa -The child was smaller than the puppet!

It was a lovely thought to have the kids see something as special as a puppet show. In this day and age where there is no dearth of entertainment on TV and tabs, it becomes important to expose this generation to the only entertainment that the earlier generations had. If not for our encouragement and patronage, this art will surely not survive. Sankalpa Montessori school is definitely doing a great job in encouraging the artists to continue the legacy. Kudos to the school and Rangaputhali for continuing the legacy of puppets which began with  M R Ranganatha Rao.
The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa

The Puppet show by Rangaputhali at Sankalpa

More on Rangaputhali and the making of these puppets in another post! In the meanwhile they can be contacted at or 08022428313 for programs and puppet shows.

Hope you enjoyed the show. The video will be uploaded soon on this show.

Lots of Twinkles to you.

Have a great weekend.

Anupama

Bombehabba at Sankalpa

Bombehabba at Sankalpa

by | Oct 7, 2017 | Festivals & Celebrations

“Amma, who is that giant?”, “Krishna is trying to steal benne!”,“Such cute chairs!” There is no end to the questions and exclamations. Curiosity and enthusiasm are the secrets to a life filled with wonder. The bombehabba brings this wonder not just to the children but all those involved and lucky to come across it. Though we don’t have the custom of displaying dolls during navratri, my child is lucky to be a part of the beautiful Bombehabba at Sankalpa.

Gombehabba at Sankalpa
The Policeman at the forefront of all the celebrations
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
A view of the display
A snapshot of the Dolls Display
Bombehabba is celebrated as part of the Navratri festival in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Known by different names such as golu, kolu, bommala koluvu, bommai kolu and gombehabba, the spirit of the festival is the same…unmatched enthusiasm for the dolls. The meanings for the different names are ‘Divine presence’, ‘Court of dolls’ and the ‘Dolls Festival’. The children love this festival and it brings out the child in the adults. It is believed that when the Devi took on the demon Mahishasura, all the gods gave their powers to the Devi. This rendered them to a doll like state. The Bombehabba at Sankalpa and everywhere else is an ode to their sacrifice. An offering is made to the dolls on display and distributed as prasadam. Festivals in India are occasions for celebration and socializing. The Bombehabba is more so because of the unique arrangement in each household depending on the different themes. The “ooohs” and “aahhss” are countless. Usually arranged in steps, some opt for odd number of steps and some houses are totally ruled by the dolls, ranging from one to several rooms.
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
The New Town featuring malls, apartments and cafes
This navratri was all about Mangalore Dasara for me and I had decided to write about Bombehabba only next year…but when I saw the beautiful Bombehabba at Sankalpa, I HAD to write about it…let me show you all that I saw.

The Pattda gombe – Also called Pattath Bommaikal or Marapacchi bommai, they are the main dolls, depicting the husband and the wife. Given to the bride by her parents, they are the first of her collection of dolls to be displayed at Dasara. Made of teakwood, rosewood or sandalwood, they are dressed and decorated in silk and accessories. Alongside the Pattada gombe, a wedding ceremony is also featured here.

Gombehabba at Sankalpa
The Pattada Gombe
The Pattada Gombe decked up in jewellery and silks
Goddess Saraswathi – She is the inspiration, the centre and being of Vidya or learning. Children are seen at her feet, bowing to her in humility and prayer.

Ma Durga – Riding the tiger, she is the epitome of courage, bravery and will.

Gowri and Goddess Lakshmi look resplendent and complete the Devi in all her forms. The Goddess is the epitome of compassion, learning, courage, goodwill and wealth. The Navanayikas, the Ashtalakshmi are all symbolic of her benevolence.

Gombehabba at Sankalpa
The Navanayikas
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
Saraswathi Puja is an important aspect of the display
Krishna – many of Lord Krishna’s Bala Leelas are depicted at the Bombehabba at Sankalpa. The Benne Krishna, trying to steal butter, the scene of the Govardhan mountain being lifted by Krishna with just his little finger, Krishna eating butter are some of the depictions that are very popular with the kids. Instead of us telling them about it, they will be the ones to educate us on these pranks. Krishna’s marriage to Rukmini and Rukmini Shringar are not to be missed. I especially loved the maid holding the mirror…Shrinivas Kalyana is also depicted with all the Gods and Godesses in attendance.
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
Krishna and Balram stealing butter
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
Krishna Rukmini wedding ceremony
The couple selling provisions – I loved the small vessels around them with the chillies, spices, grains and grams. The vessels in sandstone, brass and copper are truly appealing.
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
Vessels in different materials
Prahlad Pattabhisheka – Prahlad, the king who brought back happiness to his kingdom, who replaced the evil with the good and who set a new benchmark for devotion.

Kumbhakarna and Bakasura – with all the tasty snacks before them captured the attention of the kids and then it was all about them and their stories.

Gombehabba at Sankalpa
Kumbhakarna being woken up
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
Prahlad Pattabhisheka attended by the Gods and Goddesses
Ram and Hanuman – Hanuman bringing the sanjeevni and the monkeys building the Rama Setuve needed some elaboration. Miss A has a question…”If I write Shree Ram on a rock, will it float? Then we could also go to Srilanka! What fun!” Well….I wish.

Village life – The scenes from a village are beautifully translated in this Bombehabba at Sankalpa. The grinding stone immediately transported me back to my childhood home. When I used it for the first time, what pride I felt! The first masala ground by me maybe when I was 10 or so..
Not because I had to do it, but because I wanted to!

The Harvesting season and Pongal– I loved the simple yet effective way of bringing the reason and the celebration together. The many stages of growing our food are all seen here.

Gombehabba at Sankalpa
The Grinding stone
Stories I say – Stories are an all time favourite with kids and everyone else as well. The lion and the mouse, the thirsty crow, the cunning fox, the crocodile and the monkey are all there waiting for you at the gombehabba at Sankalpa.

The star of the show- is definitely the Mysore palace and the Dasara Procession. Including the ambaari, the cultural extravaganza and the band leading the way, it’s amazing. The view from the archway is awesome, right up to the palace. Flanked by the zoo on one side and a park on the other, it gives us a glimpse of the festivities around Dasara. The lions, Ms. Jyothi Chetan tells me, are inherited by her and are more than a hundred years old!

Gombehabba at Sankalpa
The beautiful display of dolls during the Dasara Festival.
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
The Dasara proccession
The Kondapalli toys were looking majestic and I have decided the minute I go off my ‘no shopping phase’ Iam going to buy some for myself…ok not some but at least a pair!

The School – complete with the building (a DIY made of chart paper), the teacher, students with benches and desks, a blackboard and a fan! Most apt when the Bombehabba is at Sankalpa Montessori School.

The Town – The cityscape is depicted with high rise buildings, quaint houses ( a DIY of paper cups), channapatna toys, vehicles, roads with humps and bumps( the speed breakers), the streetlights and vehicles. The cute chairs and tables in plastic, the malai kulfi seller, the play area for kids are all super cute.

Gombehabba at Sankalpa
The school with the teacher and students
Gombehabba at Sankalpa
Kondapalli toys
When I visited, I couldn’t resist asking the visitors about their favourite doll in the display…Check out the video on that.
All in all, a wonderful team effort to showcase the gombehabba at Sankalpa in its full glory. Kudos to Ms. Jyothi Chethan and her wonderful team.
Bombehabba at Sankalpa

The team at Sankalpa headed by Ms. Jyothi Chetan

Lots of Twinkles to all of you.

May the festivities continue to bring light and goodwill in our lives.

Anupama.

PS- If you miss it this year, no worries. You can always take this as an inspiration and have one of your own next year. Don’t forget to send me pictures though.