Handcrafted Rajasthani Kathputli Puppets

These folk puppets of Rajasthan are known as kathputli (Kath meaning wood and Putli meaning doll) those are made in Jaipur and Jodhpur. The art of puppeteering has a long tradition in Rajasthan, but the puppets themselves are fairly simple creations. Mostly, they consist of painted wooden heads draped with dresses made from old fabrics and sequined for charm.

The puppets are generally in 1.5 to 2 feets in height. The hands are made simply by stuffing rags or cotton into the sleeve of the dress and filling it out. The most quaint aspect of these puppets is the way their expressions are painted, large expressive eyes with arched eyebrows, and a curling moustache for men, or a nose ring for the women. The faces are usually painted yellow, white or any light color.

The costumes are regional and traditional while the themes that are performed revolve around Rajasthani historical tales or local legends. These beautiful string puppets are sure to add new dimension to your wall decor, home entertainment and will make an excellent gift for children.