RAS question
The traditional puppet theater of Rajasthan is known as:
Correct answer: (B) Kathputli.
The traditional puppet theatre of Rajasthan is known as Kathputli, the state's wooden string-puppet art associated with the Bhat community.
Explanation
Kathputli is the right answer because Rajasthan Tourism identifies Rajasthani puppet-making and puppetry as Kathputli, explaining the term through kath, meaning wood, and putli, meaning dolls. Rajasthan Tourism links the form to the Bhat community in Rajasthan, which used wooden dolls for string marionette art. This is the core feature tested in the MCQ: a traditional puppet theatre, not a general folk theatre or a regional stage form from another state. In performance, these wooden and cloth puppets are moved by strings and used to narrate heroic tales, folk lore and epics, including stories of Rajasthani heroes.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Yakshagana is wrong because it is identified in the question data as a theatre form from Karnataka, not Rajasthan's puppet theatre.
- (C) Bhavai is wrong because it is a folk theatre form, while the question asks specifically for Rajasthan's puppet theatre tradition.
- (D) Tamasha is wrong because it is identified in the question data as a folk theatre form from Maharashtra, not Rajasthan's Kathputli tradition.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan art and culture, especially the classification of folk performing traditions. RAS often asks these because candidates must distinguish local art forms by medium, community and region, not just by familiar names.