Indian shadow puppet WA507528

In shadows cast on a cloth screen, gods battle against agents of evil. Awe and divine inspiration unfold night after night through the Hindu epic of Ramayana.

It was believed that shadows inhabited a different world. Puppets, as part of this shadow world, came to life at full moon. The 'divine' voice of the puppet could be heard on a bamboo instrument and is translated for the audience.

This act of religious devotion, often performed in front of a temple, also provided popular entertainment and moral instruction. Today's shadow shows incorporate contemporary music, multi-media and fantastic light effects.

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Indian shadow puppets in Brighton Museum's collection
Find out more about Indian shadow puppet performance

How are the shadow puppets displayed in Performance Gallery?

	Indian shadow puppets displayed against a light screen in Performance Gallery

Four large leather puppets are mounted on a vertical light screen. The light is behind the figures, and is sufficient to transform the leather into a luminous film, reminiscent of stained glass windows. At the same time they are clearly presented as silhouettes. A graphic silhouette of the puppeteer shows how these figures would have been performed. Alongside the puppets, two highly decorative early 20th century tamburas are displayed.