MCQs on “The Rich Tradition of Indian Puppetry: Art, Culture, and Storytelling”

1. Which form of Indian puppetry primarily uses shadow puppets?

• A) Kathputli
• B) Tholu Bommalata
• C) Gombeyatta
• D) Pavakathakali
• Answer: B) Tholu Bommalata

2. What is the traditional puppet art form of Rajasthan called?

• A) Tholu Bommalata
• B) Kathputli
• C) Gombeyatta
• D) Yampuri
• Answer: B) Kathputli

3. In which Indian state is the string puppet form “Gombeyatta” practiced?

• A) Kerala
• B) Karnataka
• C) Tamil Nadu
• D) Andhra Pradesh
• Answer: B) Karnataka

4. What material is traditionally used for making shadow puppets in Tholu Bommalata?

• A) Wood
• B) Leather
• C) Clay
• D) Metal
• Answer: B) Leather

5. Which puppetry style from Odisha is known for its dance-like movements?

• A) Gombeyatta
• B) Kundhei
• C) Bommalattam
• D) Yampuri
• Answer: B) Kundhei

6. The term “Kathputli” is derived from which two words?

• A) Kath (wood) and Putli (puppet)
• B) Kath (story) and Putli (puppet)
• C) Kath (dance) and Putli (puppet)
• D) Kath (song) and Putli (puppet)
• Answer: A) Kath (wood) and Putli (puppet)

7. What is the primary theme of traditional Indian puppetry performances?

• A) Modern-day issues
• B) Historical events
• C) Mythological stories
• D) Romance
• Answer: C) Mythological stories

8. Which of the following is a rod puppet form in India?

• A) Pavakathakali
• B) Tholu Bommalata
• C) Yampuri
• D) Kundhei
• Answer: C) Yampuri

9. What type of puppetry involves the manipulation of puppets using strings?

• A) String puppetry
• B) Shadow puppetry
• C) Rod puppetry
• D) Glove puppetry
• Answer: A) String puppetry

10. Which puppetry form from Tamil Nadu is also known as “Bommalattam”?

• A) Kathputli
• B) Kundhei
• C) Bommalattam
• D) Gombeyatta
• Answer: C) Bommalattam

11. What distinguishes glove puppetry from other forms?

• A) It uses strings to control the puppets.
• B) The puppeteer uses their hand to manipulate the puppet.
• C) Puppets are made of leather.
• D) It involves shadow projection.
• Answer: B) The puppeteer uses their hand to manipulate the puppet.

12. Pavakathakali puppets are known for their resemblance to which traditional Indian art form?

• A) Kathakali
• B) Bharatanatyam
• C) Yakshagana
• D) Kuchipudi
• Answer: A) Kathakali

13. Which Indian puppetry form is primarily performed during festivals?

• A) Kathputli
• B) Tholu Bommalata
• C) Bommalattam
• D) Kundhei
• Answer: C) Bommalattam

14. Which state is most closely associated with “Yampuri” puppetry?

• A) Rajasthan
• B) Bihar
• C) Odisha
• D) Tamil Nadu
• Answer: B) Bihar

15. Which puppetry form is traditionally associated with the Ramayana and Mahabharata themes?

• A) Kathputli
• B) Tholu Bommalata
• C) Pavakathakali
• D) Bommalattam
• Answer: B) Tholu Bommalata

16. In Indian puppetry, “Bommalattam” means what in Tamil?

• A) Puppet dance
• B) Puppet story
• C) Puppet play
• D) Puppet art
• Answer: A) Puppet dance

17. Which puppetry style uses translucent puppets illuminated by light?

• A) Glove puppetry
• B) Rod puppetry
• C) Shadow puppetry
• D) String puppetry
• Answer: C) Shadow puppetry

18. What is the primary purpose of Indian puppetry in traditional society?

• A) Entertainment
• B) Education and moral instruction
• C) Religious rituals
• D) Art promotion
• Answer: B) Education and moral instruction

19. Which Indian puppetry form does not use strings or rods?

• A) Kundhei
• B) Yampuri
• C) Kathputli
• D) Bommalattam
• Answer: B) Yampuri

20. What is the term for glove puppetry in Kerala?

• A) Pavakathakali
• B) Gombeyatta
• C) Tholu Bommalata
• D) Kathputli
• Answer: A) Pavakathakali

21. Which puppetry form requires backlit screens for performance?

• A) Bommalattam
• B) Shadow puppetry
• C) Rod puppetry
• D) String puppetry
• Answer: B) Shadow puppetry

22. The main audience of traditional Indian puppetry was often:

• A) Urban elites
• B) Royal courts
• C) Rural communities
• D) Foreign tourists
• Answer: C) Rural communities

23. Which type of Indian puppetry uses intricate costumes similar to classical dancers?

• A) Bommalattam
• B) Kathputli
• C) Pavakathakali
• D) Yampuri
• Answer: C) Pavakathakali

24. Shadow puppets in India are generally made from:

• A) Transparent paper
• B) Colored glass
• C) Treated animal hide
• D) Polished wood
• Answer: C) Treated animal hide

25. Which form of Indian puppetry involves larger-than-life puppets?

• A) Bommalattam
• B) Tholu Bommalata
• C) Kundhei
• D) Kathputli
• Answer: A) Bommalattam

26. The stories depicted in Indian puppetry often reflect:

• A) Rural folklore
• B) Puranic tales
• C) Political satire
• D) Personal dramas
• Answer: B) Puranic tales

27. How is “Gombeyatta” puppetry different from “Kathputli”?

• A) It uses leather puppets.
• B) It is a shadow puppetry style.
• C) It involves string puppets in Karnataka.
• D) It is exclusive to temple rituals.
• Answer: C) It involves string puppets in Karnataka.

28. What type of puppet is controlled by sticks and rods?

• A) Shadow puppets
• B) String puppets
• C) Rod puppets
• D) Glove puppets
• Answer: C) Rod puppets

29. In Pavakathakali, the movements of puppets are inspired by:

• A) Kathakali dance
• B) Bharatanatyam
• C) Yakshagana
• D) Kuchipudi
• Answer: A) Kathakali dance

30. Which Indian puppetry form has been recognized as a UNESCO cultural heritage practice?

• A) Kathputli
• B) Tholu Bommalata
• C) Pavakathakali
• D) Gombeyatta
• Answer: B) Tholu Bommalata