• Indian Puppetry
• Puppet Types
  • Glove
  • Rod
  • Shadow
  • String
• Puppet Traditions
• Pavai

Different types of puppets are used in traditional puppetry. The differences exist not only in names, but also in form, structure, manipulation and presentation techniques. The different traditional forms are glove, rod, string, and shadow puppets. The local name given to puppetry varies from state to state within India.

Glove
The glove puppet, also known as hand puppets is a small figure having head and arms with a long skirt as part of its costume. The puppeteer wears the puppet like a glove and fits the index finger into the hollow head of the puppet. The middle finger and the thumb fit into the two hollow hands of the puppet. One puppeteer can manipulate two puppets at a time. Glove puppet shows are prevalent in the states of Kerala (Pava-kathakali), Orissa (Sakhi Kundhei- nacha) and West Bengal (Bener Putul nach).