Shadow puppetry in Andhra Pradesh, rooted in divine legend, narrates stories outside temples dedicated to Shiva, the patron god of puppets. Known as tholu bommalata, this art form primarily uses leather puppets, which have evolved from deer skin to goat hide, and are celebrated for their intricate designs and vivid colors. Despite modern advancements in lighting and materials, the captivating essence of the performances continues to enchant diverse audiences.

1. Shadow puppetry
of andra pradesh

2. The Legend
The origins of shadow puppets in India are attributed to the
gods, and the plays usually take place outside of temples to
Shiva, who is the patron god of puppets. Legends say that
Shiva and his goddess wife Parvati one day visited the shop
of a toymaker who had created some wooden dolls with
jointed limbs. Parvati, enchanted by the dolls, asked Shiva to
let spirits enter the dolls so that they could dance. The
toymaker, watching this from behind a screen, saw only
shadows and got the idea to create shadow puppets.

3. • As early as the twelfth
century, the art of
puppetry flourished in
Andhra Pradesh,
narrating stories of
divinity, sometimes
taking the divine
dimensions itself.

4. Leather Puppetry • Leather shadow puppetry of
Andhra Pradesh is known as
Tholu Bommalata, (Tholu –
leather, Bommalata – puppet
dance). Two other kinds of
shadow puppetry are practiced in
Andhra Pradesh, the Sutram
Bommalata (String puppets)
and the Koyya Bommalata
(Wooden puppets). The leather
puppets, because of their
transparency and jewel like glow,
are most popular.

5. Craftsman V. Shankar
(Nimmalakunta,
Andhra Pradesh
A Leather
Puppet Shop

6. • The leather puppet, which was
traditionally crafted from deer skin,
is made from goat hide now.
• in the painting of leather too,
chemical colours are replacing
natural ones.
• these puppets have a brilliant
perforated designs drawn on the
characters to depict jewellery

7. Main characteristics:
• The sizes of the main characters range from 4’ x 1½’ to 6’ x
2½’.
• Bright electrical lighting has replaced mild earthen lamps but
the magical glow of the characters and their phantasmagorical
narratives still transport the audience to the surreal world of
divine sagas.

8. The Screen

9. A Typical Village Theatre

10. Behind The Curtain

11. The Show

13. Musical instruments
• The musical instruments consists of a harmonium
• a portable keyboard organ that sometimes serves only as a drone
• a long, two-headed South Indian drum with tapering ends
(mrdangam)
• strings of bells worn on the ankles and wrists; and pairs of finger
cymbals.

14. Different Leather
Puppets

15. Shadow Puppetry in the Village Fair

16. AESTHETICS OF SHADOW PUPPETRY
• The art form has its own unique style – intricate design details, holes
made to let the light pass and give a glowing jewelry effect.
• The shadow looks very aesthetically appealing through the translucent
background.
• The epics shown this way is fascinating to see and enjoy for all age
groups.