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Paper short abstract:

Considering Perspectival Kinaesthetic Imaging as a new method for capturing and visualising multimodal aspects of artistry in anthropological study of craft, the researcher aims to look into the significance of this powerful metaphor of a conversation between maker and material in Assam puppetry.

Paper long abstract:

Puppetry is one of the most vibrant cultures in the world. It is a form of theatre or performance that involves the manipulation of puppets which frequently resemble some type of human or animal figure. A puppet, controlled by a puppeteer, is an element of a theatre that tells stories about any historical, mythological or folkloric event with speech and music. It is a repository of traditional wisdom, knowledge and social practices. Therefore, puppetry has been used as a means of communication since ancient times.

Puppets, usually lifeless and made by puppeteers using various technical methods and their creative skills, can be brought to life representing a character on stage by connecting together its various components such as head, body and limbs. Depending on the character of the puppets, materials such as bamboo, pani-kuhila, soft wood, thermocol, paper pulp, coconut shell, etc. are used. The direction and flow of movement depending on the size, shape, texture, weight, age, and density of materials give life to each character on stage. The main role of the puppeteer is to listen to objectivity and interact with the materiality of things. Thus, puppetry is different from other performing arts.

Any authentic interaction between maker and material is represented through various sensory modalities such as sound and hearing, visual resonance, feel, touch, and tactility, etc. This paper aims to clarify the meaning of this powerful metaphor of a conversation between maker and material in puppetry of Assam with the help of anthropological and ethnographic methods.