West Bengal
West Bengal has a rich tradition of rod puppetry, locally called putul nach (dancing dolls). The Bengali puppeteers believe that rods are superior to strings in giving the required animation as well as in manipulation. They feel operating the puppets from a lower level gives more freedom. The puppets are 1 ½ meter in height built over 2 ½ meter long bamboo. The body and hands have a bamboo base covered and plastered with hay and rice husk mixed and moulded into required shape. Due to the absence of legs the puppets are draped in a sari or dhoti as per the character. The arms are manipulated by strings and rods projecting from the elbow, which act as a lever. The puppet movements are highly dramatic. A bamboo socket is tied firmly to the puppeteer's wait in front into which the rod holding the puppet is placed. The puppeteers, each holding a puppet, perform from behind a head-high bamboo curtain. They move and dance while manipulating the rods attached to the puppets.
Plays based on Ramayana, Satee Behula legends are enacted through puppets. There are a handful of people performing this art form in rural areas of West Bengal.
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