The Forgotten Light: India's Shadow Puppetry
Long before cinema, India told stories through light and leather. This piece revisits the ancient art of shadow puppetry, where tradition, music, and imagination brought myths to life behind a simple screen.
India's first animation wasn't on a screen, but behind one.
Before frames and pixels came into play, animated worlds were already being brought to life through Chhaya Natak, or shadow puppetry.
Let's step back in time.
A dimly lit village square, the smell of burning camphor, and an air of excitement.
A puppeteer stands behind a thin cotton screen, and from behind it, carved leather puppets dance to the rhythm of a dholak. Beautiful silhouettes tell stories; the kind that not just children, but everyone watches wide-eyed.
Across states, the art took new forms: Tholu Bommalata in Andhra Pradesh, Togalu Gombeyaata in Karnataka, Ravana Chhaya in Odisha, and Tholpavakoothu in Kerala. Each carried its own divinity.
Each puppet was a leather cutout, every line etched with patience and painted beautifully with natural dyes. The silhouettes came alive in the lamp's glow, every motion guided by human hands.
And these performances were never just about stories, they were about people.
Children huddled in front, elders leaned on walking sticks, smiling at tales they had heard countless times before. Between the shared laughter under the night sky, the community breathed as one.
Today, shadow puppetry is forgotten by many, but not completely lost. It still survives as a heritage art through workshops, cultural festivals, and a few dedicated families who continue the craft.
Some contemporary artists experiment with modern themes and LED lighting, keeping the spirit of the art alive while adapting to the times.
The audience is smaller now, but the magic remains unchanged.