What is bommalatam?

Bommalattam, also known as Puppet Dance, is a traditional dance form from Tamil Nadu, a southern state of India. It involves the use of puppets made of wood, cloth, and other materials, which are controlled by strings to move and perform various actions.

The word "bommalattam" is derived from the Tamil words "bommai" (meaning puppet or doll) and "attam" (meaning dance). The art form typically depicts mythological stories and religious themes, often featuring characters from Indian epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Bommalattam has a rich cultural history and was widespread throughout Tamil Nadu until the 20th century. However, it has become increasingly rare in modern times due to the popularity of other dance forms and the availability of cheaper and more accessible forms of entertainment. Despite this decline in popularity, there are still several practitioners of bommalattam who are committed to preserving this ancient and unique dance form.