The Changing Face of Traditional Puppetry

"Why would someone from the US come to India to study puppetry," I am often asked, "when Indians are going abroad to study it?" It is not a surprising question, given that India's rich tradition of puppetry is relatively unrecognized, even within the country itself. However, since I don't see the art form as being on its deathbed, I usually respond that I came because I believe that India is the birthplace of puppetry. When I set out on my nine month Fulbright research grant, one of the mysteries I set out to solve was how the traditional forms of puppetry are staying alive. As I traveled around the country connecting with various puppet theatres, I was encouraged to find that in many places traditional puppetry is alive and kicking.