India, Sept. 27 -- Mysuru Puppet Theatre's 10-day shows to revive dying art

Mysuru, Sept. 27 (KS)- Puppetry is more than a form of entertainment - it is a living tradition, with strings attached, that embodies India's deep-rooted culture, heritage, story-telling artistry and spiritual beliefs.

Tracing its origins to the pre-Vedic period, puppetry has long been an integral part of Indian art and folklore. Among the 64 ancient traditional art forms, puppet shows - known locally as 'Bombeyata' or 'Gombeyata' - once held pride of place.

Today, performances feature string, rod, shadow and hand puppets, each with its own unique style. In Mysuru, rod puppetry was once a familiar sight during festivals, social gatherings and village fairs, esp...