Divinities, Demons, Kings and Clowns:
Puppetry of India and  Southeast Asia
Curated by Kathy Foley with the assistance of Michael Schuster

Gombeyata

 Gombeyata hang from the ring which is worn on the puppeteer's head, while hands are manipulated by  iron rods.  The puppeteer dances as he performs, giving life to the hanging figure. Most figures are about three feet high and have three component parts: a carved head, a carved torso, jointed arms and sometimes legs.  The first cut is usually made at the point of the ana chakra, the energy point between the eyebrows that leads toward higher consciousness.  Hands are usually in the hamsaya mudra (gesture) which can indicate explanation, meditation, or knowledge. Puppet carving approximates the icons on carts pulled during temple festivals to honor the temple icons. 

Stories are narrated by the bhagavata who drums his own accompaniment and are based on the epics and Puranas, sacred Indian tales. That include stories of the gods Krishna, Shiva, Rama, and Devi.  A harmonium provides a drone; a reed instrument and the bells on the puppeteer’s feet add to the musical mix.  Puppeteers are primarily of the Visva Karmi caste and most current performers trace their roots to performers in the 1800s.  While the figures here are from Karnataka state, this type of puppet is also found in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. 

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