Shadow Puppets as a theme in the performance gallery

Performance Gallery was developed at Brighton Museum in response to the excellent collections which relate to performance. The gallery opened in 2002 and an installation of Indian shadow puppets is featured as one of seven puppet traditions from around the world.

The display:

Four large leather puppets are mounted on a vertical light screen. The light is behind the figures, and is sufficient to transform the leather into a luminous film, reminiscent of stained glass windows. At the same time they are clearly presented as silhouettes. A graphic silhouette of the puppeteer shows how these figures would have been performed. Alongside the puppets, two highly decorative early 20th century tamburas are displayed.

The gallery label reads:

In shadows cast on a cloth screen, gods battle against agents of evil. Awe and divine inspiration unfold night after night through the Hindu epic of Ramayana.

It was believed that shadows inhabited a different world. Puppets, as part of this shadow world, came to life at full moon. The 'divine' voice of the puppet could be heard on a bamboo instrument and is translated for the audience.

This act of religious devotion, often performed in front of a temple, also provided popular entertainment and moral instruction. Today's shadow shows incorporate contemporary music, multi-media and fantastic light effects.