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.