MarvinGrenier8 at 15:10, 5 March 2026

2026-03-05T15:10:27Z

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{{Short description|Puppet art form of Tamil Nadu}}
{{About|the art form}}
{{Infobox dance
| name = Bommalattam
| image = Tamil nadu, burattini del bommalattam.jpg
| alt =
| caption = [[Marionette|Doll marionette]]s used in Bommalattam
| native_name =
| etymology = Portmanteau of the [[Tamil language|Tamil]] words ''bommai'' (doll marionette), and ''attam'' (dance)
| genre = [[Puppetry]]
| signature =
| instruments =
| inventor =
| year =
| origin = [[Tamil Nadu]], India
}}
'''Bommalattam''' is a type of [[puppetry]] using inanimate objects from [[Tamil Nadu]]. While the origin of the art is uncertain, it has existed as an art form for years. It uses various [[Marionette|doll marionette]]s, manipulated by rods and strings by puppeteers behind a screen, lighted by traditional lamps. It is usually accompanied by music and story telling.

== Background and history ==
Bommalattam is a type of [[puppetry]], that originated in the region.<ref name="Lal">{{cite book|title=Theatres of India: A Concise Companion|year=2009|page=388|isbn=978-0-195-69917-3|publisher=Oxford University Press|first=Ananda|last=Lal}}</ref> While the origin of the art is uncertain, it has existed as an art form for years.<ref name="Bom">{{cite book|title=The Cambridge Guide to Asian Theatre|year=1997|isbn=978-0-521-58822-5|page=84|publisher=Cambridge University Press|first1=James|last1=Brandon|first2=Martin|last2=Banham}}</ref>

== Setup ==
It uses various [[Marionette|doll marionette]]s which are {{cvt|1-3|ft|abbr=on}} tall and may weigh up to {{cvt|10|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Rout">{{cite book|title=Routledge Handbook of Asian Theatre|year=2016|isbn=978-1-317-27886-3|publisher=Taylor & Francis|first=Siyuan|last=Liu|page=182}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Sangeet Natak|volume=38|year=2004|publisher=Sangeet Natak Akademi|page=98}}</ref> The puppets are manipulated by rods and strings attached to the heads, back, arms and legs.<ref name="Bom"/> The puppets are made of lightweight [[wood]] and are dressed in crafted [[costume]]s bulked up by [[paper]] stuffings to give a more rounded appearance.<ref name="Bom"/> The puppets are carefully crafted with prominent jewellery so that the edges are visible in the shadows.<ref name="Bom"/> Puppeteers stand overhead in an area {{cvt|4|ft|abbr=on}} high and {{cvt|11|ft|abbr=on}} wide.<ref name="Bom"/>

The puppet staging area is created by stretching a black cloth over a bench and the puppets are operated behind a white screen illuminated by a [[lantern]] or [[oil lamp]]s.<ref name="Bom"/> The audience are seated in front of the screen with the screen literally separating the performers and audience, who are able to view the shadows of the puppets which are operated by the puppeteers.<ref name="Lal"/> The puppeteers wear [[bell]]s which are sounded along with the movements with background music played by traditional instruments such as [[cymbal]]s, [[harmonium]] and [[mridangam]].<ref name="Bom"/>

== Operation ==
The puppeteer operate the puppets by holding a ring or rod with strings attached and using movements from hands and arms to control the devices such as the rods and strings.<ref name="Bom"/><ref name="Rout"/> The puppeteer might engage in narration of the stories while dancing the puppets.<ref name="Bom"/> The puppeteers may engage in actions corresponding to the music and might sometimes follow the dance patterns of classical [[Bharatanatyam]].<ref name="Rout"/>

== Usage ==
The themes are drawn from various Hindu scriptures such as the [[Puranas]] and [[Indian epic poetry|epics]] and/with local [[Folklore of India|folklore]].<ref name="Bom"/> The puppet shows are held during festivals and fairs, commonly in villages. The puppet shows are also part of rituals conducted to ward of evil forces, prevent [[epidemic]]s and end [[drought]]s by invoking rain.<ref name="Bom"/> Bommalattam is usually followed as a family tradition with all members of the family engaged in making the puppets, maintaining them and performing.<ref name="Lal"/> ''Pava Koothu'' is a variation of puppetry which uses handheld glove puppets.<ref name="Rout"/>

== In popular culture ==
There have been multiple films of the name:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290478/|title=Bommalattam (1968)|publisher=IMDB|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8929664/|title=Bommalattam (2008)|publisher=IMDB|access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
* [[Bommalattam (1968 film)|''Bommalattam'' (1968)]]
* [[Final Cut of Director|''Bommalattam'' (2008)]]
* [[Bommalattam (TV series)|''Bommalattam'' (TV series)]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Dance in India}}

[[Category:Tamil dance styles]]
[[Category:Tamil culture]]
[[Category:Hindu traditions]]
[[Category:Hindu art]]

Bommalattam - Revision history

MarvinGrenier8 at 15:10, 5 March 2026