Sri Lanka, Jan. 15 -- Puppetry, popularly known as "Rukada" in Sri Lanka, has been a branch of theatre that dates back to the reign of ancient kings. Rukada has survived as a folk art to the present times thanks to the incessant toil of a school of artistes from Ambalangoda and Balapitiya in the district of Galle.

Terminologically the Sinhala name "Rukada" has been described as figures representing partly live human beings made of wood. Other half of life is given by the puppeteer.

A puppet play is a concerted effort of a team of singers, play wrights and musicians. All such performances are in reality theatrical. Puppetry in Sri Lanka, just as the other spheres of culture, art and craft has been influenced by India, China, Malaysia, ...