RAS question
The Rajasthani folk puppet theatre is called:
Correct answer: (D) Kathputli.
The Rajasthani folk puppet theatre is called Kathputli, a traditional string-marionette art associated with Rajasthan and the Bhat community.
Explanation
Kathputli is the Rajasthani folk puppet theatre referred to in the question. Rajasthan Tourism describes puppet-making and puppetry as a vibrant part of Rajasthani culture and says the local term is Kathputli, from kath, meaning wood, and putli, meaning dolls. Rajasthan Tourism links its origin to the Bhat community in Rajasthan using wooden dolls for string marionette art. Kathputli puppets are controlled by strings and used to narrate stories of Rajput heroes, folk tales and legends. The answer is therefore not just a generic word for puppets; it names Rajasthan's recognised folk puppet performance tradition.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Nautanki is not Rajasthan's folk puppet theatre; it is a form from Uttar Pradesh.
- (B) Ramleela is a dramatic performance tradition, whereas the asked form is Rajasthan's string-puppet theatre, Kathputli.
- (C) Yakshagana belongs to Karnataka, so it does not name the Rajasthani puppet-theatre tradition.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan folk performing arts, especially the ability to match a regional art form with its correct name and cultural setting. Such questions recur in RAS because art-and-culture MCQs often distinguish Rajasthan-specific traditions from similar-looking performance forms of other regions.