The Kathputli Show

The Vivacious Figures

Those lively-naughty figures hanging to a string, dancing and moving in utter happiness, throwing heaps of sentiments to the passers, viewers – Yes, I’m talking about the Kathputli or most commonly known as Puppets. Making my way through an extremely narrow staircase of the City Palace in Jaipur, I came into a clearing zone. My eyes met two very calm faces, sitting cross-legged with multi-hued figurines in their hand. As soon as they had my attention, one of them offered excitedly, “Madame, fancy a Kathputli show, exclusively for you?” It certainly was flattering. A puppet show meant only for my eyes! But being a frugal

As soon as they had my attention, one of them offered excitedly, “Madame, fancy a Kathputli show, exclusively for you?” It certainly was flattering. A puppet show meant only for my eyes! But being a frugal traveler, I had to negotiate my very own street show. Upon reaching an amiable agreement, they finally began with a lyrical tale of a king and queen. For the next fifteen minutes, I stood there mesmerized by the humor of a local folktale, finely mastered with threads over colorful hand-made puppets.

Love Duo

Dressed in most vivid Rajputana attires, these puppets had casted a spell of marveling fashion on my brains. The choli and ghagra tucked so elegantly by the queen, with the male mate wearing a Bandhej safa, Dhoti and royal Kurta over it, I must say, the Kathputlis were so fashionable. It ended in a flash, leaving me in a daze. I returned back to my resting haunt in the evening, only to find myself thinking about mesmerizing Kathputlis and their attires, which kicked me on another shopping spree next morning at streets of Jaipur.