13 August 2024/

CHHAYA – THE SHADOW OF LEATHER PUPPETS AND STORYTELLING

CHHAYA – THE SHADOW OF LEATHER PUPPETS AND STORYTELLING – an enchanting exhibition by Management of Art Treasures of India (MATI), exploring the realm of folk art and the creators who share their distinct perspectives on their local communities with the public.

The exhibition pays tribute to the artisans, storytellers and performers who have preserved the tradition of shadow puppetry, celebrating its evolution and relevance in the modern world.

The exhibition will open at the MATI, Hauz Khas Village, Deer Park, New Delhi, on 14 August 2024 till 25 August 2024 (10:30 AM to 7:30 PM).

IN THIS CURATED COLLECTION, MATI PRESENTS ITS CURATED EXQUISITE COLLECTION OF SHADOW PUPPETS HIGHLIGHTING PUPPETS FROM ANDHRA PRADESH AND KARNATAKA, CRAFTED IN ADHERENCE TO ICONOGRAPHY PRESCRIBED IN CLASSICAL TEXTS.

“The collection features revered figures such as Lord Ram, Lakshman, Maa Sita, Hanuman and the formidable demon Ravana. Additionally, it includes depictions of Lord Shiva with his characteristic blue skin and Mata Parvati, accompanied by their vahanas, Nandi and Tiger. By meticulously selecting representations of gods (Devs) and demons (Danavs), along with other significant characters, we aim to offer viewers an immersive and enriching experience,” says the organizers of the exhibition.

“Shadow puppetry or ‘Chhaya Natak,’ is an old and strong Indian folk theatrical form, old storytelling and entertainment technique that employs flat articulated figurines to resemble moving people. Shadow puppetry is practiced in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu and it is one of the oldest forms of puppetry. The puppets in all four forms follow an iconography prescribed in classical texts. While making the puppet figures, numerous patterns or designs are created to beautify them while also giving them appropriate properties related to the characters. The puppets’ physical characteristics adhere to certain common norms.

Andhra Pradesh’s Tolu Bommalatta uses human-sized puppets with several joints, creating colorful shadows due to their transparency. Todale Gombeyetta’s (Karnataka) transparent shadow puppet figures are given numerous traditional features, employing intricate use of color, line, cutting and incising. These figures are typically huge and are crafted from parchment, with specific areas perforated to create the ornaments. Masterfully crafted, this illusion depicts the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Purana and folktales. This enhances our awareness of Indian culture and affects viewers socially. Extensive motifs and patterns accentuate the puppets’ appearance as they portray scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The creation of puppet characters also reflects the region’s traditional arts and crafts,” added in detail.

MANAGEMENT OF ART TREASURES OF INDIA (MATI)

Management of Art Treasures of India (MATI) is a public trust founded with an aim to collect, preserve, document and promote a variety of artifacts. With a fully-equipped conservation and documentation team, MATI has focussed to build a folk and tribal art archive to document tangible and intangible art heritage, organized lectures, seminars, workshops and special courses relating to folk and contemporary tribal art since 2012. MATI has the largest collection of popular art including calendar art, matchboxes, cigarette covers, postcards and labels of consumer items. The collection also includes folk and tribal paintings, metal and wooden sculptures, jewelry, ethnic masks, vintage photographs, prints, oleographs, textiles, leather puppets, film posters, lobby cards, etc. MATI organizes social and charitable work also.

SIDDHARTHA TAGORE, FOUNDER-TRUSTEE OF MATI

Mr Siddhartha Tagore founded MATI in 2012. Earlier, he established ‘Art Konsult’ about three decades ago with a vision to promote Indian contemporary art globally. The trust has organized two successful exhibitions, ‘Ganika: In the Visual Culture of the 19th and 20th Centuries’ and ‘Vādya: Folk Tribal and Classical Musical Instruments’ in collaboration with the National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy during the period 2022-24.