Images of Asia S.
1 total work
Thought to date from the twelfth century, Burmese puppet theatre is a dazzling blend of lifelike characters, songs, and courtly dialogue. Employed as a vehicle for both propaganda and protest, it draws on Burma's rich cultural and religious heritage for its plays and has had a marked influence on other local art forms, particularly dance. Complete with many unpublished photographs, this colourful introduction describes the theatre's customs, rules, and changing patterns, and celebrates the remarkable beauty of the puppets and the skills of the puppeteers.