Sphoorthi Theatre

From time immemorial, there is evidence of the existence of Sting Puppetry in Dakshina Kannada District in Karnataka State. According to folk art experts, the origin of Yakshagana puppetry has not been established. Though it remained with a few families, Yakshagana puppetry has survived for over three centuries, due to the Uppinakudru Kamath family's commitment to the art. In the 17th century, Krishna Babu Kamath and his son Lakshmana Bhagavatha launched the Yakshagana puppet theatre and traveled from place to place staging shows at fairs, temple festivals, and so on. The ancient folk art of “Yakshagana Gombeyatta”- known as Yakshagana Puppetry of coastal Karnataka was founded by three brothers named Sri Laxman. Sri Narasimha and Sri Manjappa Kamath, three centuries ago at Uppinakudru a small village in Kundapura Taluk, Udupi district of Karnataka State, India. It was Lakshmana who founded the Ganesha Yakshagana Gombeyata troupe. The grandson of Sri Laxman Kamath name...

In the late 80s Obbava, a middle-aged migrated from a village near Irkal or IIKal to Hubbali city after losing her husband. She had no issues of her own. She was abandoned by her in-laws. She came to live with her nephew whom she had raised. She then had to live on her own after her nephew’s marriage. She was working as a domestic worker in 4-5 houses and earning her living. She used to wear high-power spectacle glasses commonly known in the region as ‘Soda budi’ because of her poor vision. She worked at my friend’s place as a nanny. At my friend's place, she lived in the backyard servant room. My friend’s father happened to be from Irkal city so he got associated with her and extended meaningful help. As the days rolled on, one evening during my case study, work about destitute women, I interviewed Obbavva. Then I got to know about the traditional folk embroidery of North Karnataka. Ilkal is a City in Bagalkot district in Karnataka State. India. The town is located in a v...

Puppetry progenitor of the modern dramatic art, dates back to 2000 BC. It exists in all regions of the world like the Egyptians, Greeks, and some sections of the American continents. The role of puppets in spiritual and magical remedies has been part of it.  Besides ancient India, China, and Babylon. Puppetry in Asia is a traditional form and is the mother of all folk art forms.  The etymology of Puppetry can be traced from the Old French  ‘Poupette’, which is faring from the word ‘poupée’ meaning "a bird" or ‘a little doll’. Likewise, in Vulgar Latin root ‘Puppa’-meaning a chick or a doll. Likewise, in vulgar Latin root ‘Puppa-meaning a chick or a doll. This was adopted in Middle English in the 1530s as ‘Popet’-“Doll”. This adapted in Middle English in the  1530s as  ‘Popet’- "doll". "Doll moved by strings or wires". Again, this is the opinion of many historians and scientists who think that toys and dolls are the ancestors of the puppet. As Puppe...