ABOUT THE ART
In Andhra Pradesh, the puppets, called tholu bommalata (“the dance of leather dolls”), are fashioned of translucent, coloured leather. These are projected on a small screen, like colour photographic transparencies. Animals, birds, gods, and demons dominate the screen. The puppeteer manipulates them from behind with two sticks. Strong lamps are arranged so that the size, position, and angle of the puppets change with the distance of the light. The puppeteers comprise of various entertainers who perform all night and usually reenact various stories from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
WHAT WE LEARN
We create the Nava Nari Kunjar - elephant made of 9 ladies with Radha and Krishna riding the same. Size 30" x 24"
Nari-Kunjar is a remarkably unique art genre which started trending amongst the Indian artists, starting early 17th century.
The main composition of the artform is a framework of a Kunjar, which means, the Elephant. Within the shell, figures of women, nari, are artistically intertwined and seated in a creative manner.
This can be created wither as a painting or puppet
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Dr. Dalavayi Raju is a 7th generation awardee artist of Tholu Bomalatta from Nimalakunta village of Andhra Pradesh. His family has been into the making of the traditional leather shadow puppet and conducting puppet shows for generations
MATERIALS
-Watercolor paper/ Leathr sheet
- Poster colors/ Waterproof inks
- Bamboo pen or Fineliner
- Brushes and basic stationery
RECORDINGS
Recordings are complimentary for this workshop and would be shared each day post the session.
ADD-ONS
Pictures of process
Full support and guidance during and even after the workshop is over