He has performed many such social plays for non-governmental organisations in the region. When carried out systematically it can still attract many audiences,' Kalaivanan feels. It is important that this art form is modernized with latest scripts, sound and light and stage effects. 'Puppetry is in troubled times struggling to get adequate patronage. Kalaivanan is one among the modern puppet artistes aspiring to take the form to the next level of social plays while conventional puppetry is tied to mythological devotional stories. The one-hour show was powerful enough to glue the audience with the message.

Though losing its sheen, puppetry could be a strong medium and it was very evident when a Chennai-based glove artiste, Mu Kalaivanan staged a show on adolescent girl education and the ill-effects of a lucrative textile mill job scheme in the city recently. However, in the recent past the art form, which is well-known for its rich narratives, is dying a slow death due to inadequate patronage and also because of the electronic medium.

Traditionally, after every harvest season puppetry troupes from Madurai, Tirunelveli, Kovilpatti and Nagercoil used to travel to all the villages and stage plays by collecting nominal charges. MADURAI: Before the advent of cinema and television puppetry forms, especially shadow puppetry ruled the roost in this part of the region.

Puppetry in india