The lights go off. A white screen glows. Suddenly, colourful kings and monkeys dance across it! This is Tholu Bommalata.
What does the name mean?
Tholu Bommalata is a Telugu name. “Tholu” means leather. “Bomma” means doll. “Aata” means play or dance. So the name means “the dance of leather dolls”. This art comes from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
How are the puppets made?
Artists beat leather until it is very thin. Then light can pass through it. They cut out the shapes of people and animals. They paint them in bright colours and draw fine patterns. Each puppet is made in parts, like arms and legs. The parts are tied together, so they can move. Thin sticks help the puppeteers move them. Some puppets are even taller than you!
Many of these puppets are made in Nimmalakunta, a village in Andhra Pradesh.
The show
A big white cloth is tied up like a screen. A lamp glows behind it. The puppeteers hold the puppets close to the screen. The audience sits in front.
What do they see? Bright, coloured shadows that move and dance! The puppeteers sing and tell old stories, like the Ramayana. Drums and bells add music. Some shows go on all night!
More shadow puppets
Other states have shadow puppets too.
- Karnataka has Togalu Gombeyatta.
- Odisha has Ravanachhaya.
- Kerala has Tholpavakoothu.
Try this: With an adult, take a torch into a dark room. Shine it on a wall. Make a bird or a dog with your hands. Can you tell a story with your shadow friends?