15 Facts About Shadow play

Shadow play, known as shadow puppetry, is an ancient form of storytelling and entertainment which uses flat articulated cut-out figures which are held between a source of light and a translucent screen or scrim.

Shadow play is popular in various cultures, among both children and adults in many countries around the world.

Shadow play is an old tradition and it has a long history in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia.

Shadow play probably developed from "par" shows with narrative scenes painted on a large cloth and the story further related through song.

The most significant historical centers of shadow play theatre have been China, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

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Little mention of shadow play is found in Islamic literature of Iran, but much is found in Turkish and 19th-century Ottoman Empire-influenced territories.

Shadow play theatre became popular in France, Italy, Britain and Germany by the 17th century.

In France, shadow play was advertised as ombres chinoises, while elsewhere they were called "magic lantern".

Shadow play puppets are an ancient part of India's culture, particularly regionally as the keelu bomme and Tholu bommalata of Andhra Pradesh, the Togalu gombeyaata in Karnataka, the charma bahuli natya in Maharashtra, the Ravana chhaya in Odisha, the Tholpavakoothu in Kerala and the thol bommalatta in Tamil Nadu.

Shadow puppet play is found in pictorial traditions in India, such as temple mural painting, loose-leaf folio paintings, and the narrative paintings.

In many regions, the puppet drama Shadow play is performed by itinerant artist families on temporary stages during major temple festivals.

In Cambodia, the shadow play is called Nang Sbek Thom, or simply as Sbek Thom, Sbek Touch and Sbek Por .

Shadow play theatre in Thailand is called nang yai; in the south there is a tradition called nang talung.

Shadow play would go on to perform at the Palace of Versailles in front of royalty.

Shadow play's nephew took over the show after Seraphin's death in 1800 and it was continued by his heirs until the theatre closed in 1870.