Dastkari Haat Samiti
Dastkari Haat Samiti
The temple complex of Lepakshi and its influence on leather puppets
About 80 km from the village of Nimmalakunta, a centre for leather puppetry, is the temple complex of Lepakshi. Built in the 16th century, it is a significant example of Vijayanagar architecture and is characterised by huge granite statues. The Vijayanagara empire, which held sway in the Deccan region from the 13th to the 17th centuries, was a uniting force in southern India. Under its stable rule, the region saw a growth in trade and technology, as well as arts and architecture.
Leather Puppet Making: Drawing on prevalent art and iconography (16th century)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The pillars, columns and ceilings are adorned by detailed carvings and paintings.
Leather Puppet Making: Drawing on prevalent art and iconography (16th century)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The temples in this complex are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Veerabhadra.
Leather Puppet Making: Drawing on prevalent art and iconography (16th century)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The illustrations depict divine beings, saints, rulers, soldiers, musicians and dancers.
Leather Puppet Making: Drawing on prevalent art and iconography (16th century)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The frescoes, painted using vegetable and mineral colours, represent stories from Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas.
The facial expressions, costumes and jewellery are very detailed.
Leather Puppet Making: Drawing on prevalent art and iconography (16th century)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The frescoes bear a striking similarity to the figures seen on the leather puppets.
Telia Rumal: Fresco at Veerabhadra Temple (16th century)Dastkari Haat Samiti
It is evident that the leather puppet craft was greatly influenced by the visual milieu it was surrounded by.
Leather Puppet Making: Drawing on prevalent art and iconography (16th century)Dastkari Haat Samiti
In content, style and detail, the art of puppet performance was almost an extension of the culture embodied in the temples.
Leather Puppet Making: Sindhe Sriramulu's family portrait (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The travelling performers took this sacred art to the people. Today, leather shadow puppets are the living threads, connecting the present with the religious and cultural setting of a time gone by.
Andhra Pradesh's Leather puppet making (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
See more of Andhra Pradesh's Leather Puppet tradition.
Leather Puppet Making: New products (2010/2017) by Sindhe SriramuluDastkari Haat Samiti
Read more about the craft of Leather Puppet Making:
- The Process
- Products beyond the puppets
Text: Aloka Hiremath and Jaya Jaitly
Photography: Chirodeep Chaudhuri and Charu Verma
Artisans: Sindhe Sriramulu and family
Ground Facilitator: Shalini Shashi
Curation: Ruchira Verma
Cinematic Video:
- Director: Jyoti Neggi
- Production: Studio Gola
