Mandalay Marionettes Myanmar Burma Previous | Home | Next

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Mandalay is the center of arts and culture. Myanmar puppetry dates back several centuries, but originated in China and India. It was probably
well established in Myanmar during the Pagan Era, but is mentioned in records of the arts in the 11th, 15th and 16th centuries. Puppetry was in
great demand at the courts of the Myanmar royalty, especially during the Kone Bong Era. It fell into rapid decline after the demise of the Burmese
royalty, and with the popularity of modern entertainment.
A Burmese puppet play is like a ballet - a story told with music and dances. The themes of the puppet plays were drawn from historic legends,
the ten great lives and the 550 Birth stories of Lord Buddha. The Mandalay Marionettes (Yoke Thay) display all of the traditional artistic
elements of Burmese puppetry: Myanmar dancing, music, wood carving, sequin embroidery and painting.