Tholu Bommalata

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Threats

No patrons: Tholu Bommalata on the verge of extinction, 10th December 2017: The Indian Express

Pupeteers from Darsi perform in Ongole.—Photo- Kommuri Srinivas
From: S. Murali, September 2, 2015: The Hindu

Tholu Bommalata, the traditional puppetry art form of Andhra Pradesh, has lost its sheen.

Tholu Bommalata, the traditional puppetry art form of Andhra Pradesh, has lost its sheen. Now, there are only a few artisans to carry forward the art. Years ago, the art was active in the four districts of Rayalaseema, especially in the border villages of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.However currently, there are only 6-8 troops left in all those areas that are still taking up the leather puppetry as the prime livelihood.S Chidambara Rao, a national award winner from Anantapur district, says he is the fourth generation person in his family who is practicing this art and this would be the last generation in his family, as they are not finding any income with this art. “I have three children - two daughters and one son. I taught my children the puppet art but they never showed any interest as there is no income in my profession.” he says.

He says even today, he has to go around houses for foodgrain after completing a night skit. “For over the years, we have been going around various villages and performing various skits with leather puppets whole night. Many people used to come and watch, and we would feel very happy. But the next day when we go to their houses for foodgrain, they would ignore us and we have to plead a lot for just a small bowl of grains. Seeing all these struggles, my children never wanted to take this as their profession,” he says.

“I received National Award from former President APJ Abdul Kalam for my talent. But even today, I am a homeless man. Even for government programmes, though they pay us it would not be sufficient for our livelihood. The government should come forward, and introduce the art and train it professionally in all music colleges across the state,” says Chidambara Rao, polishing his leather puppetry and getting ready for the show.

Most shadow puppeteers are originally from Maharashtra, who settled in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka over the centuries. “Today, as puppeteer families are on the verge of extinction, we need to zero in on people with a passion for puppets and train them. Empowering youngsters to take puppetry forward, and have training organisations to hold regular story-telling puppet sessions as part of school curriculum would solve the urban disconnect we are witnessing,” says Lakshmamma, a troop member of Chaya puppetry.

As of now, the Department of Culture is giving artist pensions worth `12,000-20,000 per month across the state.