# Sakhi kandhei > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sakhi_kandhei > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sakhi_kandhei.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakhi_kandhei > Source revision: 1348226444 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Sakhi Kandhei of Odisha preserved in [Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum](/source/Raja_Dinkar_Kelkar_Museum), [Pune](/source/Pune) **Sakhi kandhei** (Also *sakhi kundhei*, *sakhi nata*) is a string [puppetry](/source/Puppetry) show popular in the [Indian](/source/India) state of [Odisha](/source/Odisha),[1][2] especially in the [Kendrapara district](/source/Kendrapara_district) of [Odisha](/source/Odisha). This form of art is still performed by local artists in and around Palakana, a small village in Kendrapara. Puppeteers generally form groups and travel from village to village for performing shows. Wooden dolls are tied to strings which are controlled by pulling and releasing the strings. Different expressions by pulling the strings narrate tales from the [Puranas](/source/Puranas) and modern social life.[3] A group of artists perform music and give background voice for the narration of stories.[4][5][6][7] Considering sakhi kandhei a dying art form, Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi is taking steps to popularize and revive it.[8] A handful of puppeteers have taken initiatives to revive this art form.[9] I carve out wooden puppets on orders received from puppet show operators. The dolls made by me fetch money, in addition to what I earn by staging the shows. — Fakir Singh, puppeteer from Palakana ## Puppets Wooden puppets are used in Sakhi kandhei which have three pieces; head and the two hands with the wrists with hole in them to insert fingers. The three pieces are joined together and long sleeved dresses are used to cover the bodies. Strings are attached to the thumb, limbs and other body parts which are pulled and released to give rhythmic gesture based on the story's narratives.[10][11] It’s a tough battle to keep the art alive when more attractive means of entertainment are bombarded round the clock on the electronic media. So, the question is how long these handful of artistes will be able to carry on the ancient traditional art to future generations. — Basudeb Das, Puppetry researcher[4][5][6][7] ## See also - [Chadar Badar](/source/Chadar_Badar), puppet art of Santhal people of India - [Gopalila](/source/Gopalila), puppet art of Odisha state of India - [Kathputli (puppetry)](/source/Kathputli_(puppetry)), puppet art of Rajasthan state of India - [Nokkuvidya pavakali](/source/Nokkuvidya_pavakali), puppet art of Kerala state of India - [Rabana Chhaya](/source/Rabana_Chhaya), shadow puppet art of Odisha state of India - [Shadow play](/source/Shadow_play), shadow puppet art which originated in first millennium BCE in India - [Tholpavakoothu](/source/Tholpavakoothu), shadow puppet art of Kerala and Tami Nadu states of India - [Tholu bommalata](/source/Tholu_bommalata), shadow puppet art of Andhra Pradesh state of India - [Togalu gombeyaata](/source/Togalu_gombeyaata), shadow puppet art of Karnataka state of India - [Wayang](/source/Wayang), puppet art of Indonesia inspired by Indian puppetry ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [*Communication and the Traditional Media: Papers and Proceedings of Seminar*](https://books.google.com/books?id=X0AtAAAAMAAJ). Indian Institute of Mass Communication. 1981. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Mukherjee, Anusua (25 November 2017). ["Puppetry in Odisha: who is pulling the strings?"](https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/puppetry-in-odisha-who-is-pulling-the-strings/article20781988.ece). *The Hindu*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0971-751X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0971-751X). Retrieved 13 January 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [*Cultural Heritage of Orissa: Justice Sri Harihar Mahapatra Felicitation Volume*](https://books.google.com/books?id=W2ZuAAAAMAAJ). Institute of Oriental and Orissan Studies. 1993. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TIE_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TIE_4-1) ["String puppetry – A dying art form"](http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/string-puppetry-a-dying-art-form/). *The Indian Express*. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Hindu_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Hindu_5-1) ["A dying art form"](http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/a-dying-art-form/article5728223.ece). 26 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-OTV_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-OTV_6-1) ["String puppetry – A dying art form"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140303012846/http://www.odishatv.in/string-puppetry-a-dying-art-form/). *OTV*. 25 February 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.odishatv.in/string-puppetry-a-dying-art-form/) on 3 March 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Jagran_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Jagran_7-1) ["String puppetry: A dying art form"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140401053723/http://post.jagran.com/string-puppetry-a-dying-art-form-1393323835). *The Jagran*. 25 February 2014. Archived from [the original](http://post.jagran.com/string-puppetry-a-dying-art-form-1393323835) on 1 April 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-TOI_8-0)** Singha, Minati (25 March 2011). ["Dying art forms find a stage in city"](http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Dying-art-forms-find-a-stage-in-city/articleshow/7789006.cms?referral=PM). *The Times of India*. Retrieved 27 February 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-PTI_9-0)** ["String puppetry – A dying art form"](http://www.ptinews.com/news/4439135_String-puppetry---A-dying-art-form.html). *Press Trust of India*. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Cuttack1985_10-0)** Kala Vikash Kendra, Cuttack (1985). [*Journal*](https://books.google.com/books?id=vfxkAAAAMAAJ). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-KothariKarlekar1989_11-0)** Sunil Kothari; Ranjita Karlekar (1989). [*Damaru, Essays on the Theatre & Theatre Crafts of Eastern India*](https://books.google.com/books?id=U_9kAAAAMAAJ). Council and the Centre. ## See also - [Kathputli (Puppet)](/source/Kathputli_(Puppet)) - [Puppetry](/source/Puppetry) v t e Culture of Odisha Dance Classical Gotipua Mahari Odissi Folk Bagha Nacha Chadheia Chaiti ghoda Chhau Chutkuchuta Dalkhai Danda Nata Dhan Koela Dhuduki Ghumura Jhumar Jodi sankha Karma Kandhei nacha Kathi Kandhei Keisabadi Nachni Naga nrutya Pala Rasarkeli Ranapa Sambalpuri Samprada Laudi nata Lankapodi Lila Tamasa Pasu nrutya Patua Sakhi Nata Suanga Tribal Desia Gadaba Kandha Koya Onra Paraja Saura Music Odissi Khanjani Kendara Dhumpa Play, theatre and puppetry Play and theatre Bharata Lila Dasakathia Dhanu Jatra Jatra Prahallada Nataka Puppetry Ravana chhaya Sakhi kandhei Wedding Odia Hindu wedding Festivals Bali Jatra Boita Bandana Deepabali Dola Jatra Durga Puja Nuakhai Gamha Purnima Kumar Purnima Makar Sankranti Manabasa Gurubara Maha Bishuba Sankranti (Pana Sankranti) Pousha Purnima Prathamastami Ratha Jatra Raja Samba Dashami Savitri Brata Sitalsasthi Snana Jatra Martial arts Paika akhada Handlooms Baleswari bandha Berhampuri Bomkai (Sonepuri) Dhalapathar Gopalpur Tussar Habaspuri Kotpad Ikat Pasapali Sambalpuri Arts and Handicrafts Arts Pattachitra Jhoti chita Saura painting Idital Handicrafts Chandua Tarakasi Ganjapa Clay Stoneworks Wooden crafts Bronze & Bell metal works Dhokra Architecture Kalinga architecture Deula Calendar (Panjika) Odia calendar Anka year Category This Odisha-related article is a stub. 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