Rabana Chhaya

Rabana Chhaya literally means 'the shadow of Ravana' and is named after the eponymous evil king of the Hindu epic Ramayana.

[3] Puppets used in Rabana Chhaya are made of deerskin, range from 6 inches to 2 feet in height and are mounted on bamboo poles.

[6] Rabana Chhaya performances are held at night, the shadow of the puppets being projected onto a white curtain against the light of an oil lamp.

The performers traditionally belong to the Bhata community and the singing is accompanied by musical instruments including ramatali (castanets), kabuji (cymbals) and the khanjani, a kind of tambourine.

[7] Performances have little by way of dance or fight sequences, the action being limited by the jointless nature of the puppets, but the dramatic effect is elevated by the use of poetic language, music and the religious themes narrated.