Why in news?
Nearly 250 families in Jaipur's Kathputli Nagar continue Rajasthan's ancient puppetry tradition, sewing vibrant costumes despite civic neglect like poor sanitation and garbage issues. Residents report overflowing dustbins, irregular waste collection, and inadequate toilets for around 600 households, prompting open defecation.​
What is Kathputli?
- The word comes from Kath (wood) and Putli (doll), literally meaning a wooden puppet is a traditional string puppet theatre from Rajasthan, celebrated as one of the oldest and most vibrant forms of Indian puppetry.
- It combines storytelling, music, and performance to narrate tales of kings, warriors, folklore, and moral lessons.
- Believed to be thousands of years old, deeply rooted in Rajasthani folk traditions.
Cultural Significance
- Storytelling medium: Puppeteers narrate folk tales, heroic sagas, and social messages.
- Entertainment & education: Historically used to spread moral lessons and cultural values.
- Royal patronage: Flourished under Rajput kings, who supported puppeteers as entertainers.
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