https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Togalu_gombeyaataTogalu gombeyaata - Revision history2026-09-07T15:53:12ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Togalu_gombeyaata&diff=146447&oldid=previmported>GreenC bot: Rescued 1 archive link; reformat 1 link. Wayback Medic 2.52021-04-20T19:42:32Z<p>Rescued 1 archive link; reformat 1 link. <a href="/w/index.php?title=User:GreenC/WaybackMedic_2.5&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="User:GreenC/WaybackMedic 2.5 (page does not exist)">Wayback Medic 2.5</a></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{short description|Puppet theatre of Karnataka, India}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}<br />
[[File:Leather puppets of Karnataka.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Leather puppets demonstrating the war between the [[Pandava]], [[Arjuna]] and his son [[Babruvahana]]]]<br />
'''Togalu gombeyaata''' is a puppet show unique to the state of [[Karnataka]], [[India]]. ''Togalu gombeyaata'' translates to "a play of leather dolls" in the native language of [[Kannada]].<ref name="toga">A description of ''togalu gombeyaata'' is provided by {{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/03/stories/2005010301760300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050118163749/http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/03/stories/2005010301760300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2005-01-18|author=Staff Correspondent|title=Create atmosphere to develop rural theatre|access-date=2005-01-03|location=Chennai, India|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2005-01-03}}</ref> It is a form of [[shadow puppetry]]. [[Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat]] has undertaken research on this art and has a good collection of leather puppets.<br />
<br />
== Making of the puppet ==<br />
The puppets used in ''togalu gombeyaata'' are made of leather. Goat hide and deer skin are generally used for making these puppets since they have the characteristic of transparency and can easily absorb colours. The raw hide is treated with salt and caustic soda to remove hair and other impurities and then dried. Then colours are applied on the leather using locally available vegetable dyes. Red, blue, green and black colours are usually used.<ref name="pupind">A description of ''togalu gombeyaata'' is provided by {{cite web|url=http://www.puppetindia.com/shadow.htm|title=Shadow Puppets|work=Online Webpage of PuppetIndia.com|publisher=2001 Puppetindia.com|access-date=2007-04-29|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929115917/http://www.puppetindia.com/shadow.htm|archive-date=2007-09-29}}</ref> The hide is then cut into appropriate shapes which are joined together using strings and small sticks. For puppets representing human and animal figures, the head and limbs are joined in such a way that they can be moved easily.<ref name="kamat">A detailed description of leather puppets is provided by {{cite web|url=http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/art/puppets.htm|title=Leather Puppets of India|author=K.L. Kamat|work=Online Webpage of Kamat's Potpourri|publisher=1996-2007 Kamat's Potpourri|access-date=2007-04-29}}</ref> The maximum size of the puppet is 4 x 3 feet and the minimum is 6 x 3&nbsp;inches.<ref name="pupind" /> The puppets are usually characters from the Hindu epics, the ''[[Ramayana]]'' and ''[[Mahabharata]]''. More recently, personalities such as [[Mahatma Gandhi]] have also been created using puppets.<ref name="newk">Changes in the art of ''togalu gombeyaata'' are mentioned by {{cite web|url=http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/puppets/show.htm|title=Kamat Goes to a Puppet Show|author=K.L. Kamat|work=Online Webpage of Kamat's Potpourri|publisher=1996-2007 Kamat's Potpourri|access-date=2007-04-29}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Stage and settings ==<br />
A stage is set up using bamboo stems and woollen blankets. A white, semi-transparent cloth is strung across the stage to serve as a screen on which the images of the puppets are projected. The puppets are strung across a rope behind the screen and a bright oil lamp placed behind the puppets projects their shadows on to the screen. The puppeteers sit behind the screen and manipulate the puppets based on the scene being played.<ref name="kamat" /> However, innovation has entered this art with the usage of steel frames for the stage, loudspeakers to amplify voices, and an [[arc lamp]] instead of the oil lamp.<ref name="newk" /><br />
<br />
== Performance ==<br />
The performance usually starts with an invocation to the Hindu god [[Ganesha]] and to the Hindu goddess of learning [[Saraswati]]. The scenes enacted are usually those belonging to the Hindu epics, the ''[[Ramayana]]'', ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and the [[Purana]]s. The puppeteers also provide voice to the puppets and an accompanying music is provided using a ''mukha-veena'' (a [[veena]] played by mouth) or a [[Pump organ|harmonium]]. The puppets are controlled using sticks and strings. The performances usually commence at night and continue till dawn.<br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
* ''[[Tholu bommalata]]'', a form of puppetry in the neighbouring state of [[Andhra Pradesh]]<br />
<br />
== Notes ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
{{Karnataka topics}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Culture of Karnataka]]<br />
[[Category:Puppetry in India]]<br />
[[Category:Shadow play]]</div>imported>GreenC bot