Step into the Mesmerizing World of Indian Puppets With Al Stevens

Indian puppetry is an extraordinary art form that has captivated audiences for centuries. Its intricate craftsmanship, vibrant storytelling, and subtle movements have the power to transport viewers into a magical realm. Among the many talented puppeteers, Al Stevens stands out as a master manipulator, breathing life into these remarkable creations.

The Journey of Al Stevens: A Passion for Puppets

Al Stevens, a seasoned puppeteer with over three decades of experience, discovered his passion for Indian puppets during a trip to Rajasthan, India. Mesmerized by the elegance and cultural significance of this art form, he dedicated his life to learning and preserving the technique of puppetry.

Stevens immersed himself in the rich history and folklore behind Indian puppets. From researching traditional stories to studying different puppet types, he nurtured a deep understanding of the art's nuances. He extensively trained under renowned puppeteers and honed his skills in mastering the intricate controls and movements necessary to bring these characters to life.

Indian Puppets

by Al Stevens(Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	16053 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	494 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The Magic of Indian Puppetry: An Art That Transcends Time

Indian puppets, also known as Kathputlis, belong to a vibrant and diverse tradition that spans across regions of India. With roots dating back to ancient times, these puppets have been an integral part of cultural celebrations, religious rituals, and storytelling traditions.

Each puppet is carefully handcrafted using a variety of materials such as wood, cloth, and strings. The attention to detail is awe-inspiring, with customized costumes, jewelry, and facial expressions that embody the essence of the characters they represent.

The performances are often accompanied by live music, combining melodious tunes with captivating narratives. The puppeteer controls the puppets through strings attached to each limb, deftly maneuvering them to enact tales of love, bravery, and moral lessons.

Unveiling the Charismatic Characters of Al Stevens

With an extensive repertoire of characters, Al Stevens takes puppetry to new heights. His collection features various puppet types, including string puppets, rod puppets, and even shadow puppets. Each character possesses a distinct personality and story, inviting the audience into a fascinating world of mythology, folklore, and history.

One of his beloved creations is Raja, a majestic Rajasthani king puppet. Adorned with intricately designed attire and regal jewelry, Raja symbolizes nobility and wisdom. The puppet dances gracefully, reflecting the king's benevolence, while narrating captivating tales from Rajasthan's glorious past.

Another enchanting character is Radha, a string puppet that embodies beauty, charm, and eternal love. With delicate movements and a mesmerizing presence, Radha enthralls audiences as she accompanies Krishna, the mischievous and enchanting flute-playing puppet. Together, they lead spectators on an unforgettable journey through the legends of Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha.

Preserving a Cultural Legacy: Al Stevens' Contributions

Al Stevens's dedication to Indian puppetry goes beyond performances. He actively collaborates with local artisans, encouraging the preservation of this traditional craft. As an advocate for cultural heritage, he organizes workshops and training sessions, passing on his knowledge and techniques to aspiring puppeteers.

Through his initiatives, Stevens aims to create awareness and appreciation for Indian puppetry, ensuring that this art form remains alive for future generations to enjoy. His efforts have been recognized globally, leading to international collaborations and invitations to perform and teach in prestigious festivals and institutions worldwide.

Experience the Enchanting World of Indian Puppets

Al Stevens invites you to witness the mesmerizing artistry of Indian puppets. From the delicate movements and intricate designs to the captivating stories brought to life, this traditional form of entertainment is a feast for the senses.

Prepare to be transported into a realm where time stands still, and imagination knows no bounds. Join Al Stevens on his extraordinary journey as he breathes life into the captivating characters of Indian puppetry.

Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience!

Indian Puppets

by Al Stevens(Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	16053 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	494 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

About The Book

Puppetry originated in India and travelled across the seven seas to the Eastern and Western world as vouched by many scholars, Puppets dated back to a period well before Bharata’s Natya Shastra and have continued unabated throughout the centuries in almost all Indian states. Puppetry is one enduring form which has entertained masses and educated people. The famous puppeteers of Rajasthan are really acrobats, who only put on puppet shows when they move out of villages. These and a thousand other scintillating facts come out of this exciting book for the reader’s entertainment and elucidation, Puppets are by no means for only children—as the puppeteers of Orissa sing and dance about the romantic love of Radha and Krishna, and Keralan puppets narrate Kathakali stories in the same make-up and costumes,

The book aims at giving a connected account of the Indian puppets: their variety, their multiple functions, their craft, their animation and their connections with other related arts in five separate parts. The book also contains—for the first time in any book on puppetry—four important appendices: Museums in India containing puppets, Directory of Indian Puppeteers, Global Bibliography on Puppets and a relevant Glossary. The world of Indian puppets is seen in vivid colours—with scores of coloured photographs and many line-drawings and halftone pictures—in their many-sided splendour; variety of the glove, rod, string, shadow, and human puppets and a myriad background stories of the puppet-masters and their imaginative landscape of free creativity.

About The Author

Sampa Ghosh joined Calcutta Puppet Theatre (CPT) under Suresh Dutta in 1980. She received scholarship for Young Workers in Different Cultural Fields from Ministry of Culture, Government of India, for puppetry in 1982- 85 and participated in more than 2000 shows all over India and Bangladesh as a member of CPT up to 1986. She worked at SRC Puppet Repertory as its Director in 1986-87 and directed four puppet plays, which proved very popular. She participated in Indian Manifestation Festival in Sweden in 1987 as the group leader, performing 42 shows all over Sweden. She conducted many puppet workshops in India and Canada especially for children and teachers. She directed two children productions and gave a lecturedemonstration on Indian puppets to international group of puppeteers under the aegis of Kala Bharati and Quebec Puppeteers Association of Canada in Montreal in 1995. As an outstanding artist, she received Senior Fellowship from Government of India in 2001- 03 for creating a website portal on Indian Puppetry. Her recent monograph on Make Your Own Puppets has been highly applauded.

Dr. Utpal K. Banerjee, an adviser on Management and Information Technology for nearly thirty years, has an abiding interest in Indian art and culture. He has been National Project Director for Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) relating to the UNDP project on Multimedia Database for Art and Culture Documentation and Computerisa-tion from 1990-92. He has been utilised by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to lecture on Indian Art and Culture in Canada in 1990 and in South America in 1998. He has also given similar lectures in Canada and USA in 1992 and 1995, as invited by Kala Bharati of Canada. He has been lecturing on Indian Arts and Culture in the training courses at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) to the Afro-Asian diplomats. His comprehensive book Indian Performing Arts has gone into several editions and Bengali Theatre: 200 Years has come out from Publication Division. He has been writing on the arts’ and culture in India Perspective, Sruti, Rasamanjari and Indrama journals and regularly writing on performing arts in The Pioneer newspaper every week. He has been a prolific contributor and anchorperson on cultural and professional programmes to London BBC, AIR and Indian Doordarshan over last 35 years.