Indian Puppets: A Cultural Extravaganza by Al Stevens

An immersive journey awaits as we unravel the captivating world of Indian puppets, brought to life by the creative genius and passion of Al Stevens. Witness the mesmerizing tales that have been passed down through generations, encapsulating India's rich cultural heritage.

The Ancient Art of Indian Puppetry

Indian puppetry is an ancient form of storytelling that thrived across the diverse regions of the country. With roots dating back to over a millennium, this art form has been an integral part of Indian traditions and rituals, captivating audiences with its vibrant characters and enchanting narratives.

Al Stevens, an esteemed puppeteer, has dedicated his life to mastering this ancient art. Reviving lost techniques and adding his own personal touch, Stevens has evolved Indian puppetry into a mesmerizing extravaganza that transports viewers into a different world altogether.

Indian Puppets

by Al Stevens (Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	16053 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	494 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Exploring the Variety of Indian Puppets

Indian puppets are incredibly diverse, reflecting the multitude of cultures and traditions present in the country. From the colorful Kathputlis of Rajasthan to the delicate string puppets of West Bengal, each puppetry tradition has its unique characteristics and storytelling methods.

As an expert in the field, Al Stevens excels in multiple puppetry styles, effortlessly maneuvering an assortment of puppets to bring his stories to life. With a deep understanding of Indian folklore and mythology, Stevens infuses his performances with a sense of authenticity and reverence for the art form.

The Magic Behind Al Stevens' Puppets

Al Stevens meticulously crafts each puppet, paying close attention to every detail. These puppets are not mere props; they are his companions, each possessing a distinct personality and charm. With his unparalleled skill, Al brings these puppets to life with a natural fluidity, seamlessly transitioning between characters and capturing the audience's imagination.

One of the most captivating aspects of Al Stevens' puppetry is the intricate mechanism used in manipulating the puppets. From string puppets controlled by delicate threads to rod puppets animated by skilled hand movements, each technique adds depth and uniqueness to his performances.

Letting the Puppets Speak

Every puppet created by Al Stevens has a story to tell. Whether it's a brave warrior, a mischievous jester, or a lovelorn princess, these characters come alive on stage, captivating audiences of all ages. Al's mastery lies in his ability to make the puppets truly express emotions, infusing life into every movement and gesture.

The stories told through Indian puppets often revolve around moral lessons, mythical legends, and folktales. They convey cultural values, teach wisdom, and enchant the spectators. Al Stevens is a true storyteller, breathing life into these tales through his puppetry and allowing generations to connect with these timeless narratives.

Preserving and Promoting Indian Puppetry

Al Stevens' dedication to Indian puppetry extends beyond his performances. He believes in preserving this ancient art form and passing it down to future generations. Through workshops, educational programs, and collaborations with other puppeteers, Al ensures that the legacy of Indian puppets continues to thrive.

By blending traditional techniques with modern innovations, Al Stevens introduces puppetry to new audiences, creating a bridge between the past and the present. His work not only entertains but also educates, instilling a deep appreciation for India's rich cultural heritage.

Join Al Stevens on a Spectacular Puppetry Journey

Prepare to immerse yourself in the magical world of Indian puppetry through the remarkable artistry of Al Stevens. With his skillful manipulation of intricately designed puppets and his enchanting storytelling, Al takes audiences on an unforgettable journey through India's cultural tapestry.

Whether you are a puppetry enthusiast, a lover of Indian traditions, or simply seeking an extraordinary experience, Al Stevens' puppetry performances are not to be missed. Brace yourself for an evening filled with laughter, wonder, and a profound appreciation for the timeless art of Indian puppets.

Indian Puppets

by Al Stevens (Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	16053 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	494 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

About The Book

Puppetry originated in India and travelled across the seven seas to the Eastern and Western world as vouched by many scholars, Puppets dated back to a period well before Bharata’s Natya Shastra and have continued unabated throughout the centuries in almost all Indian states. Puppetry is one enduring form which has entertained masses and educated people. The famous puppeteers of Rajasthan are really acrobats, who only put on puppet shows when they move out of villages. These and a thousand other scintillating facts come out of this exciting book for the reader’s entertainment and elucidation, Puppets are by no means for only children—as the puppeteers of Orissa sing and dance about the romantic love of Radha and Krishna, and Keralan puppets narrate Kathakali stories in the same make-up and costumes,

The book aims at giving a connected account of the Indian puppets: their variety, their multiple functions, their craft, their animation and their connections with other related arts in five separate parts. The book also contains—for the first time in any book on puppetry—four important appendices: Museums in India containing puppets, Directory of Indian Puppeteers, Global Bibliography on Puppets and a relevant Glossary. The world of Indian puppets is seen in vivid colours—with scores of coloured photographs and many line-drawings and halftone pictures—in their many-sided splendour; variety of the glove, rod, string, shadow, and human puppets and a myriad background stories of the puppet-masters and their imaginative landscape of free creativity.

About The Author

Sampa Ghosh joined Calcutta Puppet Theatre (CPT) under Suresh Dutta in 1980. She received scholarship for Young Workers in Different Cultural Fields from Ministry of Culture, Government of India, for puppetry in 1982- 85 and participated in more than 2000 shows all over India and Bangladesh as a member of CPT up to 1986. She worked at SRC Puppet Repertory as its Director in 1986-87 and directed four puppet plays, which proved very popular. She participated in Indian Manifestation Festival in Sweden in 1987 as the group leader, performing 42 shows all over Sweden. She conducted many puppet workshops in India and Canada especially for children and teachers. She directed two children productions and gave a lecturedemonstration on Indian puppets to international group of puppeteers under the aegis of Kala Bharati and Quebec Puppeteers Association of Canada in Montreal in 1995. As an outstanding artist, she received Senior Fellowship from Government of India in 2001- 03 for creating a website portal on Indian Puppetry. Her recent monograph on Make Your Own Puppets has been highly applauded.

Dr. Utpal K. Banerjee, an adviser on Management and Information Technology for nearly thirty years, has an abiding interest in Indian art and culture. He has been National Project Director for Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) relating to the UNDP project on Multimedia Database for Art and Culture Documentation and Computerisa-tion from 1990-92. He has been utilised by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to lecture on Indian Art and Culture in Canada in 1990 and in South America in 1998. He has also given similar lectures in Canada and USA in 1992 and 1995, as invited by Kala Bharati of Canada. He has been lecturing on Indian Arts and Culture in the training courses at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) to the Afro-Asian diplomats. His comprehensive book Indian Performing Arts has gone into several editions and Bengali Theatre: 200 Years has come out from Publication Division. He has been writing on the arts’ and culture in India Perspective, Sruti, Rasamanjari and Indrama journals and regularly writing on performing arts in The Pioneer newspaper every week. He has been a prolific contributor and anchorperson on cultural and professional programmes to London BBC, AIR and Indian Doordarshan over last 35 years.