India Post Releases ‘Puppets of India’ Commemorative Stamp Series

he Department of Posts released a set of 8 commemorative postage stamps titled “Puppets of India” at the India Habitat Centre to celebrate India’s rich puppetry heritage.

Key Highlights

• Puppetry is one of India’s oldest storytelling traditions depicting epics, folklore, social themes and moral teachings.
• Traditional puppetry in India is broadly classified into four forms:
  • String Puppets
  • Glove Puppets
  • Rod Puppets
  • Shadow Puppets
• The art form is preserved through family-based transmission, with skills passed from one generation to another.

Puppetry Traditions Featured on Stamps

Puppetry Form	State
Kathputli	Rajasthan
Yakshagana Sutrada Gombeyatta	Karnataka
Daanger Putul	West Bengal
Kathi Kundhei	Odisha
Benir Putul	West Bengal
Pavakathakali	Kerala
Ravanachhaya	Odisha
Tolu Bommalatta	Andhra Pradesh

Each stamp highlights distinctive costumes, techniques, and regional artistic styles.

Cultural Significance

• Reflects India’s intangible cultural heritage.
• Demonstrates diversity in regional storytelling traditions.
• Promotes awareness and preservation of traditional arts.