NCERT Class 6 Arts Kriti-I: Chapter 19 — Stories of Shadows and Strings – Puppetry
This chapter, "Stories of Shadows and Strings – Puppetry," introduces students to the art of puppetry. It explains that puppetry is the art of using inanimate figures or representations, manipulated by puppeteers through various techniques like hand movements, strings, or rods, to tell stories, entertain, or convey messages. The chapter encourages creativity by suggesting simple ways to create puppets, such as using fingers to make faces, hands on paper to create characters, or paper cups to make finger puppets. It highlights that puppets can be of any shape or size, limited only by imagination, and can represent characters from mythology, literature, or even animals. The core idea is to bring these figures to life through voice modulation and hand movements, enabling students to create their own performances and stories. This chapter fosters imagination, storytelling, and basic performance skills.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 6 |
| Subject | Arts |
| Book | Kriti-I |
| Chapter | Chapter 19 — Stories of Shadows and Strings – Puppetry |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 254 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the definition and purpose of puppetry.
- Learn to create simple finger puppets using everyday materials.
- Explore different ways to manipulate puppets to tell stories.
- Recognize that puppet characters can be diverse and imaginative.
- Develop basic storytelling and performance skills through puppetry.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Puppetry | The art of using inanimate figures or representations to create a performance. |
| Puppeteers | People who manipulate puppets. |
| Manipulate | To control or influence someone or something cleverly, unfairly, or unscrupulously. |
| Inanimate | Not alive. |
| Representations | Symbolic figures or images. |
| Voice modulation | Changing the pitch, tone, and volume of one's voice. |
| Finger puppets | Small puppets worn on the finger. |
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Practice questions
- What is puppetry? Answer: Puppetry is the art of using inanimate figures or representations to create a performance.
- What are some ways to create simple puppets mentioned in the chapter? Answer: The chapter suggests using fingers to make faces, drawing characters on paper with hands and legs, or creating finger puppets with paper cups.
- What techniques can puppeteers use to manipulate figures? Answer: Puppeteers can use hand movement, strings, or rods to manipulate figures.
- What is the role of imagination in creating puppets? Answer: Imagination is key as there is no specific rule about how a puppet should look; it can be as unique as one's creative imagination.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What is the primary art form discussed in the chapter?
Explanation: The chapter is entirely focused on the art of puppetry, explaining its techniques and creative possibilities.
Q2. Who manipulates the figures in a puppetry performance?
Explanation: Puppeteers are the individuals responsible for controlling and moving the puppets during a performance.
Q3. Which of the following is NOT a technique mentioned for manipulating puppets?
Explanation: Voice modulation is a technique used by puppeteers to give characters a voice, but it is not a method of physically manipulating the puppet itself.
Q4. What can be used to create simple finger puppets?
Explanation: The chapter specifically suggests using a paper cup to create a simple finger puppet.
Q5. According to the chapter, what limits the design of a puppet?
Explanation: The chapter states that there is no specific rule about what a puppet should look like, implying that creative imagination is the only limit.
Frequently asked questions
What is puppetry?
Puppetry is the art of using inanimate figures or representations, manipulated by puppeteers, to tell stories, entertain, or convey messages.
How can students make simple puppets?
Students can create simple puppets by making faces on their fingers, drawing characters on paper using their hands, or making finger puppets from paper cups.
What are the basic techniques used by puppeteers?
Puppeteers use techniques like hand movement, strings, or rods to manipulate the puppet figures.
Can puppets be of any design?
Yes, puppets can be of any shape and size, limited only by the creator's imagination, as there are no specific rules for their design.
What is voice modulation in puppetry?
Voice modulation is the technique of changing the pitch, tone, and volume of one's voice to give life and character to the puppets.
What kind of characters can be represented by puppets?
Puppets can represent a wide variety of characters, including those from mythology (Purana and Ithihasa), animals, or any character from one's imagination.
Related resources
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Topics covered
NCERT Class 6 Arts — Kriti-I — Chapter 19 — Stories of Shadows and Strings – Puppetry. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 10 Aug 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.