Photos

These "butta bommalu" were in the tribal museum at Araku.

About Butta Bommalata:
Marionette play is the oldest surviving art form in India. The marionette's or puppets are made of different materials. "Butta Bommalu" are made of bamboo, tamarind seed paste, paper, cattle dung or husk and hay. The figures are coloured according to the tradition and used for plays.

It is made up to waist only and hollow inside. The dolls are three to four times bigger than the human figures. A coloured cloth is tied around the doll at the waist that covers the player who enter into it.

hese puppets are large enough to serve as full masks for men and women who dance to the rhythm of a Dappu or Mridangam.

More info at : http://www.webindia123.com/andhra/art/art3.htm#b