User talk:Anil1726

Leather Puppets and Lamp Shades The craft of making leather puppets is inextricably linked to the traditional folk form of cultural expression. Puppetry is also known as Tolu Bommalu or Tolu Bommalatta in Telugu i.e leather puppetry, this form of shadow-puppet theatre is found in several regions of Andhra Pradesh. Tolu means leather in Telugu and bommalu means dolls or figures in Telugu. The puppetry was one of the main forms of entertainment in olden days. Gradual urbanisation led puppetry limited to villages. In recent times, the entertainment business flourishing into movies, television and mobile entertainment, the art form is in a dying state hence the leather puppet makers are being forced to diversify their art into making utility items such as colourful lamp shades, in order to cater to a new market.

The artisan makes the designs, which are mythological figures, animals and their own creations. Many puppets have movable hands and legs and some have movable heads and necks. These brilliantly crafted puppets help in the development of soft motor skills of growing children. Hence today many international schools are introducing puppetry as an activity in their educational regime.

Hand Puppet play helps young children develop creative skills by enforcing them to use their imaginations. It is through imaginative play that children come to understand the difference between fantasy and reality. It improves their expressing skills.

The leather lamp shades are now the new age home decor. The leather painted lamp shades come in various variants and are decorated with vibrant colours which give an aesthetic look to the home interiors. The art of making leather puppetry dates back to centuries and is being carried forward through generations.

The SHGs (Self Help Groups) which are still into this leather puppetry making business are supported by SERP-AP (Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty) and the puppets (Peacock, Tiger, Horse, Vinayaka, Hanuman, etc.) to name a few and the lamp shades are listed on KALGUDI platform. Through the purchase of these beautifully crafted home decor puppets and lampshades, we can lend our helping hand to support this art form from extinction.


 * 1) LightShades #LampShades #LeatherPuppets #ToluBommalu #Marionette                    www.kalgudi.com