Kalasutri Bahulya/ String Puppet Folk Art of Maharashtra

Performers of kalasutri bahulya (kalasutri meaning string, and bahulya meaning puppet), are descendants of puppeteer families from Rajasthan and Gujarat. They perform shows with 1.5-foot-tall string puppets carved from wood and colourfully dressed. A rope tied to the head connects to another that connects to the back and two more that run from the hands. A single performer sings the text while  the tabla and cymbals are played alternately. These puppets are decorated as mythological figures such as heroes, kings, devils, and humble slaves. The performances are based on various episodes from the Ramayana, starting with Rama’s birth and concluding with Ravana’s death.

Before the start of the show, the puppeteers put an offering of flowers, rice, and coconuts. The performance starts with Lord Ganesh arriving on his rat. Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, comes and dances with Ganesh. Thieves and clowns have comical and ironic interludes between Ramayana scenes. Finally, the show concludes with Shiva riding the bull Nandi on stage.