Hyderabad: The basic material to make the puppets is leather, which earlier came from deer but is now obtained from goats. It is a long process to make the leather translucent. Once the flesh is cleaned out, the pelt is boiled in hot water to remove hair and the remaining fat. Then the pelt is tied from all four sides to a cot so that it gets taut. If there are some left-over hair, they are removed with a sharp knife. This leather, once it dries, also becomes pliable.
They still make large paintings, in fact, entire stories, on one large goat skin or two skins joined together. Ms Dalavai Lalitamma, Mr Chalapati Rao's daughter, and her husband Sindhe Sriram have some exquisite paintings, which can be the centre of attraction in any place. Intricate work, the use of correct colour and the story in sequence. A sight to watch.
Once the painting is done, the perforations, which are the unique aspect here, are added. Here is where the light will come from, making interesting designs on the walls.
First the drawings are done with a pencil. “Oh, there are mistakes but we can remove them with a knife," says the veteran with a smile, when questioning the youngsters and their abilities.
The details are outlined with black and then painted in bright colours. These are the same colours used in Dharmavaram saris. While they may not run, they do turn dull. But when you see them fresh, they look a bit loud, unlike the older colours, which were subtle and more familiar.
While there may not be much of shadow puppetry, many of these puppets have movable hands and legs, heads and necks.
Of course if it is a character from the Puranas and the epics then each one has its own designated colour - blue for Rama and Krishna, green Anjaneya, yellow for rishis and so on.
Among the more commercial stuff, they make butterflies, Kathakali faces, Ganeshas for individual buyers who might want to hang a piece or two on their walls. They also make beautiful lamp shades, with floral designs or with Ganeshas.
They have wall brackets, hanging ones and now standing ones of different sizes. Once lit, they look colourfully charming. One person is making beautiful jewellery out of this leather and the colours and the designs are right for those looking for trends.
