Karnataka
In Karnataka, the string, and leather puppet form exist in villages. The string puppet form is called Gombe atta, (means - dance of dolls). In some districts, it follows Yakshagana, the traditional live theatre (folk) form of the state. The puppets have rounded figures with legs, and joints at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. Five or more strings attached to a puppet figure are tied to a rod-like wooden prop. The Gombe atta presents stories based on episodes drawn from epics and puranas. The highly dramatic music is a blend of folk and classical style. Sometimes the strings of the heavier puppets are replaced with rods for better manipulation and control. This form is prevalent in the district of Bellary, Bijapur, Chiradurga, Dharwad, Mandya, Mysore North Canara, Shimoga, South Canara and Tumkur.
The leather or shadow puppets locally called togalu (leather) gombe-atta (puppet dance) of Karnataka is similar to the leather puppets of Andhra Pradesh. There are two sizes of leather puppets in use – one with large puppet form almost like that of Andhra Pradesh. The other one uses smaller puppet figures. The themes for the puppet plays are drawn from epics and puranic literature and a number of characters like clowns, dancers, etc, which are presented in almost all plays. The puppeteers hail from the districts of Bellary, Bijapur, Chiradurga, Dharwad, Gulbarga,Hassan, Kolar Mandya, Mysore Raichur, and Tumkur.
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