Gombe Atta - Agalkote, Karnataka
Following are the tools and raw materials required for Wooden Puppet Making:
• Hammer (Suttige): Hammers of different sizes are used at different stages, for carving and for nailing.
• Chisel (uli): Flat big and small chisels are used for basic carving and intricate portions like eyes, nose, ears etc.
• Needle (Sooji): Needles ranging from small (1 inch) to big (4 inch) are used according to the requirement for stitching cloth and minor corrections while dressing.
• Sewing Machine (Holige Yantra): Puppeteers use hand operated sewing machines for stitching cloths of puppets.
• Scissor (Katri): For cutting clothes.
• Files: Small wooden files are used for finishing the face profile.
• HandSaw (Garagasa): Small hand saw is used for cutting wood.
• Brush (Kuncha): Applying basic coat on the puppet.
• Paint Brush: Eyes, mouth and other fine detailing are done by paint brush.
• Paint (Colors): The face of the puppets is painted with the main colors used in painting are White (for base of the face and eyes), Red (lips and Battu (binddi) for women) and Black (for eyebrows, hair and eyes) which are brought from the local market.
• Whetstone (Kallu mase): This is used for sharpening the tools.
• Teak/Milk Wood: Wood is used to sculpt face and hands of the puppet which is the most basic raw material in the process of puppet making.
• Plaster of Paris (POP): POP powder is used in molding the face of characters.
• Boorgada Tree (Local name): Wood is used to carve the body of the puppet.
• Ribbon: Puppets are ornamented with bright shining ribbons which are brought from the local market.
• Jewelry: Small jewelries are used to decorate the puppets. These jewelries are made using beads, chains and different small shining bright items. The women of the house specially make these jewelries according to the need.
• Thread (Dhara): Threads are used to stich the cloths of the puppets and also to make the strings.
• Waste Cotton: Cotton is used as fillers.
• Sand Paper (Maralu kagada): Sand paper is used for sanding the surface of the face.
