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Rajhastani
Puppets
Rajasthan,
literally “Land of the Kings,” is largely a
desert state in northwestern India. The landscape is dominated
by rocky mountains, often topped by impenetrable forts.
Its many kings and court life dominated its oral traditions
as in the Dhola-Maru story. The area is renowned for its
puppet traditions. Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is
nicknamed the “pink city” or “city of
victory”. The old portion of the city was painted
pink in order to welcome Prince Albert in 1883. Jaipur is
now a bustling metropolis home to palaces, forts, and the
best cinema in Rajasthan.
Based on an exhibition of Indian Puppet
Arts,
Open Hand International Mask & Puppet Museum, Syracuse,
NY.
E-mail: openhandtheater@aol.com
Curated By: Susan S. Wadley, Ford Maxwell
Professor of South Asian Studies, Syracuse University
Photos Courtesy: Susan S. Wadley and Eric
Littlepage (B.A., University of Virginia)
