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.