Big Thank You's and Blessings of good karma from the children! 

Welcome to the Village of Kunichosla, Rajasthan

Kathputli puppetmaking tradition

In the Kathputli Colony of Jaipur, this job of this family is to make the traditional Rajasthani puppets.These families make on average, 150-200 Rupees per day after the cost of materials. They make the puppets in their home.

These puppets, made from wood, paint and recycled sari's are sold throughout the city to tourists by merchants and the Ragasthani gypsy colony members who play music and give the puppets shows. In the pupet show, they represent the Rajput Raja's (Rajasthani Royalty) and are used to narrate the traditional stories and myths of Rajasthan, such as the Ramayana. 

Kishor and I went to the open market, which was much like a swap meet, where we bought second hand saris at a low price which will be used to make the puppets dresses.

The children of the colony learn from their parents and elders how to sing, dance, play the instruments and make the puppets.

According to their uncle Ravi Baht, these children most likely represent the 7th generation of Rajasthani Gypsies.

Kishor's wife paints the faces of the puppets all day long, while her husband will construct the dresses.

Lucky and I. They dressed me up in one of the sari's.

My friend, Kishor and I. He is teaching me how to make puppets. We are planning a visit to the village of their parents, approximately 2 hours outside of Jaipur. Like the other Kathputli gypsies of Rajasthan, these families moved away from their villages to be in the cities where they have more opportunity to make money giving performances and selling puppets.  The few families who remain in the villages have difficulty finding work and must take the bus, sometimes hours away to the city to perform.

Kishor sings and plays the harmonium with his family in shows in and around Jaipur. Their income depends on the generosity of their audiences. 

She can balance up to 6 water pots on her head while dancing, finishing her dance on shards of glass.

Kishor's younger brother and his wife.

Traditional Rajasthani dancing. They are teaching me to dance in the Rajasthani style...such beautiful dancing to the most passionate music I've ever heard.

Puja for new instruments - Kathputi (Baht) Colony, Jaipur, 7-30-2012

Gungaru (bells) for the ankles of dancing children, 4 sets of tablas, 2 dolaks and a room full of very happy children and adults!

One of the 3 alters -expressing gratitude love and devotion to Allah, Jesus, Sufi Baba, Siva, Parvati, Laxmi, Ganesh, Saraswati... God has many faces in order to help humans have some understanding of the the many aspects of God. This puja (ceremony) was to thank God and to bless and protect the new instruments, the school and the children who come to learn and practice their tradition here in the Kathputi colony.

In accordance with tradition, the first song is to Ganesha -  and this is the first time the new harmonium is played.

Bhakti - devotional songs to God.

Puja wouldn't be complete without the Prasad (sweets: mango and papaya), thread (tied around each persons wrist), kum kum (blessing marked on the spot between the eyes, third eye or ajna) and of course, flowers. Puja ceremony involves all sense organs...and most of all, the heart.

Hello Friends,

I have finally arrived in Jaipur and have reunited with my beautiful friends here. Last night we celebrated with singing and dancing at their house in the Baht Colony. This morning we left early for the open markets to buy sari's that they use for material to make the puppets and costumes they need. There is another open market tomorrow morning where we can get the best prices for more materials. It is closer to the old city of Jaipur where we will go to the music shop for the tablas. I will post some images for you in a few days when I can get some time and a stronger internet signal for upload. The kids all send their love, blessings and many thanks for your generosity. It is so nice to see them all again!

It has been a hot dry summer this year and the monsoon hasn't brought much rain here yet- only humidity. June in Kerala, South India was also less rain - very worried for the farmers this year. Yields are expected to be lower which unfortunately means that food will be more costly for the people. I could see that the rivers and lakes were very low for rainy season, and now rainy season has passed in the south. Lets hope and pray that India gets more rain.

Blessing from Jaipur, the City of Victory!

Sheri

                                    Please click play to hear the children sing and play music! 

My name is Sheri Lyles. I am not a representative from an NGO or other organization. I am an artist and graduate student from the University of Hawaii, working toward my MFA in studio arts. This past fall I spent a semester in India doing artistic research with included 6 weeks in Jaipur at an artist residency at Studio Sukriti, the largest foundry in India. At the beginning of my stay I went to the city palace where I was immediately drawn by beautiful music of the tablas and harmonium coming from the far corner of the main courtyard. I met Kishor and Ravi Bhatt and some of their family members who were performing a puppet show, playing music, and selling the handmade puppets they made to visitors for donations. I lingered around for a while enjoying the music and the show and eventually received a personal invitation to some to their home for dinner and meet the rest of the family. They saw my love for the music and wanted me to meet the children of his colony who take his nightly music lessons. I had no prior knowledge of his traditions or culture. My heart melted as 18 children gathered together in the small dark room to sing and take their turn playing the tablas. The student must all share one set of drums. During my stay in Jaipur, I continued to visit them, invited them for a tour and a class in ceramics at the studio, and shared my knowledge of art and English language with them as they shared their songs and dances with me. We learned from each other.

The goal of the tabla project is to help sustain these traditional arts through donations that go to pay for musical instruments and supplies for children to continue to practice and sustain themselves through their arts.  The genesis of this project began in Honolulu Hawaii when Interfaith Kirtan, a group of performers and lovers of music that gather together to share in song and chant to all aspects and forms of the divine God. Participants contribute to the donation basket within their means and a portion goes to the Bhatt  children. On Friday, May 4th, a very special Kirtan devotion is being held specifically for them and all of the proceeds will go to pay for their needs. I will be returning to Jaipur in mid July and will post and update images on this blog, with the very special thank you's from the children.

The Bhatt children and their families practice the Kathputli tradition, believed to be over 1000 years old. Ravi Bahtt (the 'baba' or teacher) hopes to share his traditions and talents with others by giving lessons in tablas, harmonium, Rajasthani dance, and the art of puppeteering which tells the stories of the Raja's or kings of ancient India. If you are planning a trip to India, he will welcome you to his home to learn and share.  If interested please contact me by email and I will send you his direct contact information.

Thank you and Namaste,

Sheri Lyles