Togalu Gombayetta - Krishna Kaliya

Togalu Gombayetta - Krishna KaliyaAbout the artform: This is a traditional shadow puppetry from Karnataka in south west India. Togalu signifies leather and gombeyata figure, doll, dance and performance. There are two distinct types of togalu gombeyata based on the size of the figures. Chikka theatre uses the smaller figures (between 20 to 30 centimetres high) and dodda theatre uses the larger sized figures (between 30 to 120 centimetres in height). There are several regional

About the artform:
This is  a traditional shadow puppetry from Karnataka in south-west India. Togalu signifies “leather” and gombeyata “figure, doll, dance and performance”.

There are two distinct types of togalu gombeyata based on the size of the figures. Chikka theatre uses the smaller figures (between 20 to 30 centimetres high) and dodda theatre uses the larger-sized figures (between 30 to 120 centimetres in height).

There are several regional variations within these two types of theatre that have different manipulation techniques, different music and also different morphology of figures that reproduce sculpted or painted ornaments from local temples. For example, the position of the two eyes in a face seen full front, as well as the compositions of humans, animals, birds and trees that can be seen in the mural paintings of the Lepakshi temple (built 14th-17th centuries during the Vijayanagar Kings’ period)

About the artist:
Ganesh Sindhe is a 7th generation artist working with Togalu Gombeyata and Tholu Bomalatta

About the workshop:
In this 6 days workshop, we will learn to create a Krishna and Kaliya puppet. We will also learn about the history and practices associated with the art.
Learning basic drawing and step by step building of the layout and coloring + detailing techniques.

Materials required:
Watercolor sheet/ 300gsm paper
Waterproof Ink
Basic stationery
Exacto knife 
Scissors