Shadow Puppet Item Number: Ef219 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A shadow puppet of leather cut out representing a male warrior. Face shown in profile with two eyes and sharp teeth. Wearing a heavy helmet and a red skirt with a black sash. Holding a sword in his left hand. Has long elaborate red earrings and a red and white necklace. Has a pointed black beard. One arm is missing.
History Of Use
Puppetry, particularly shadow puppets, is an ancient dramatic form in India mentioned in the Buddhist Jataka Tales of the 3rd century B.C.E. Nowadays modern forms of entertainment, such as the Hindi film industry, have rendered them extinct except for some rural areas in the states of Orissa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. The Andhra Pradesh/Karnataka shadow puppet tradition, compared to the few remaining troupes, are the most extensive and dramatic. Probably originally Maharashtran and maintained by dynasties, such as the Vijaynagars of the 13th and 14th centuries, it now survives as presented by Marathi-speaking puppeteers, commonly called Raoji. These are the largest in size of the Indian shadow puppets.
Iconographic Meaning
Represents a rakshasa or 'night wanderer', many of which comprise the army of Ravanna, king of the rakshasa. These fearful beings can take many forms, human, animal, monster, and may even appear beautiful. Usually, as does this puppet, they have big noses, sharp teeth, a moustache, and a large belly.
Item History
- Made in Karnataka, India between 1880 and 1930
- Collected during 1976
- Owned by Stephen Inglis before December 2, 1977
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller) on December 2, 1977
What
Who
- Culture
- South India
- Previous Owner
- Stephen Inglis
- Received from
- Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) and Stephen Inglis (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Karnataka, India
When
- Creation Date
- between 1880 and 1930
- Collection Date
- during 1976
- Ownership Date
- before December 2, 1977
- Acquisition Date
- on December 2, 1977
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0411/0184