Shadow Puppets from India

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.

How are the shadow puppets displayed in Performance Gallery?

		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.