Shadow Puppet India, Andhra Pradesh, 1800s ink and pigments on skin, 60 inches (152.4 cm) high Anonymous gift 1985.660 Point of View

This is a representation of Dasaratha, the mortal father of the god Rama and King of Ayodhya, and was probably used in shadow puppet plays of the epic Ramayana. Backlit and projected against a white cloth screen, the figure with his colorfully decorated robe and exaggerated facial expression would create a striking effect for the audience. Shadow plays of the Hindu epics are still performed by traveling puppeteer troupes in South India, though, sadly, the art form is losing out to the popularity of the cinema and television.


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