MASUD PHOTOGRAPHY

Introduction

• Ms. Casilagan: Presumably a presenter or contributor to the context of the materials discussed.

• Putul Nach: Highlights its significance in Bangladeshi culture and connects to the larger theme of integrative creative works in Asian music and arts.

• Reference to Devidulal Kundu, possibly an artist or figure associated with the puppetry mentioned.

Overview of Putul Nach

• Origin:

  • Dates back at least a thousand years in Bangladesh.

  • Used by certain members of the Hindu community who would perform puppet shows as they traveled between villages.

• Function:

  • Served both entertainment and education purposes.

  • Aimed to impart values while preserving regional cultural heritage.

Characteristics of Putul Nach Music

1. Folk Influence:

   • Rooted in Bengali folk traditions.

   • Incorporates various styles like Baul, Bhatiali, Bhawaiya, and Jatra tunes.

2. Live Instruments:

   • Traditionally used musical instruments:

     • Ektara

     • Dotara

     • Dhol

     • Khol

     • Flute

     • Harmonium

3. Narrative Songs:

   • Often include call-and-response singing between the puppeteer and musicians, which aids the storytelling process.

4. Religious and Mythological Themes:

   • Many performances draw on Hindu epics, Islamic stories, and Sufi traditions.

5. Audience Interaction:

   • Incorporates humor, satire, and moral lessons to engage the audience effectively.

Instruments Used in Putul Nach

• Harmonium:

  • A small, hand-pumped keyboard instrument that produces sound by blowing air through reeds.

  • Commonly utilized by singers in Indian and Bengali music.

• Khol:

  • A two-headed drum used in devotional music, especially in call-and-response style chants within kirtan and Vaishnav traditions.

• Sarinda:

  • A bowed string instrument similar to a fiddle, used in folk and devotional music.

• Cymbals:

  • Metal plates that are struck together to create rhythm, commonly found in devotional and folk music.

• Dhol:

  • A double-headed drum played with sticks, utilized in folk and festival music across India and Bangladesh.

• Gong:

  • A large circular metal percussion instrument that produces a resonant sound when struck, particularly in ritualistic or theatrical performances.

• Tabla:

  • A pair of hand-played drums consisting of a smaller drum called dayan and a larger drum referred to as bayan, used in various music genres.

• Kansi:

  • A bell-metal plate that is struck with a stick to produce a resonant sound, used in religious or folk music.

• Kartal:

  • Handheld cymbals or wooden clappers used to maintain rhythm in devotional and folk music.

• Ektara:

  • A single-stringed instrument providing drone and rhythm for devotional and folk music across India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

Modern Adaptations of Putul Nach

• Fusion with Contemporary Music

• Integration with Theater & Cinema

• Adaptations in Multimedia

• Puppet Dance in Music Videos

• Revival through Cultural Festivals

• Puppetry in Social Awareness Campaigns

Preservation Events in Bangladesh

1. Mukti Aloy Aloy:

   • Shadow and real puppet theater about a teenage girl facing child marriage challenges.

2. Kathputli:

   • A collaborative performance showcasing the culture and traditions from Rajasthan, India.

   • Highlights historical interactions between Mughal Emperor Akbar and the kings of Rajasthan.

3. Jatiya Putul Natya Utsab:

   • A day-long festival celebrated annually on World Puppetry Day, promoting puppetry arts.

Types of Puppetry in Bangladesh

1. String Puppets (Tarer Putul Nach):

   • Puppet height typically 0.3 to 1 meter, made from mixed materials, utilizing up to nine strings.

2. Rod Puppets (Danger Putul Nach):

   • Emphasizes drama rather than dance; features reflect artistic styles similar to street storytelling.

3. Glove Puppets (Beni Putul):

   • Puppets operated by inserting a hand, allowing dynamic, lively movements; traditionally associated with lower social groups.

Artistic Elements of Putul Nach

• Fusion of Craftsmanship, Music, and Storytelling:

  • Captivates audiences with amazing puppet aesthetics, rhythmic folk music, and engaging narratives.

Elements of Artistic Expression

1. Puppetry Creation:

   • Materials: Wood, clay, paper, cloth, and bamboo.

   • Decoration: Hand-painted faces with natural dyes, adorned with jute hair, fabric costumes, and jewelry.

   • Sizes: Ranges from small figures to life-sized puppets.

2. Music and Sound Effects:

   • Live performances feature folk music instruments: ektara, dhol, dotara, flute, and harmonium.

   • Songs often relate to Baul, Bhawaiya, and Bhatiali traditions.

   • Drums and bells used to create sound effects during dramatic moments.

3. Storytelling Themes:

   • Traditional themes include mythology, folklore, romance, and social issues.

   • Modern themes address education, health, and political satire.

   • Performances often require audience interaction, enhancing humor and engagement.

Modern Challenges and Revival Efforts

• Challenges:

  • Declining popularity and institutional support.

  • Changing cultural preferences impacting traditional art forms.

  • Economic hardships affecting the sustainability of puppetry arts.

• Initiatives for Revival:

  • Support from government and cultural organizations.

  • Development of digital and online platforms for wider reach.

  • Collaboration with educational institutions and NGOs.

  • Fusion with contemporary arts to attract modern audiences.

Chhaya Putul (Shadow Puppetry)

• Description:

  • A form of storytelling that utilizes shadow puppetry techniques.

  • Involves use of flat cut-out figures (usually from leather or paper) projected against a lit screen to create shadow images.

Characteristics of Chhaya Putul

1. Materials:

2. Performance Style:

3. Themes and Stories:

4. Traditional and Modern Usage:

Conclusions

• Shadow puppetry has seen a decline but initiatives continue to preserve and modernize the art form.

• Contemporary artists are experimenting with new themes and techniques, incorporating digital media, and exploring innovative storytelling methods to keep shadow puppetry relevant.

Questions / Final Reflections

• Inviting audience engagement and providing a platform for discussions on the content discussed during the presentation.

Acknowledgements

• Thanks for Participation: From Aldenaire & Partners, recognizing contributions and nods to collaboration.