When did Puppet shows start ?

Puppets are little figures operated by strings and wire from above, by rods, or by hands from below. There are many types of puppets including hand puppets, rod puppets, shadow figures, and marionettes. The first puppets were probably made in India or Egypt. Puppet theatres thousands of years old have been found in both these countries.

Marionettes, which are puppets, animated by strings from above, got their name in Italy. During the early Christmas celebrations, small figures of the Christ Child and the Virginmary were made to move by strings. This kind of puppet became known as a marionette, or little Mary.

People have made puppets to represent the heroes, gods, and animals of their legends and stories. In Java, Thailand, and Greece they developed shadow-plays. They were made by moving cut-out figures against a vertical sheet lit from behind. Great composers like Mozart, Haydn, and Gluck have written special operas for puppets. One of the most popular puppets among children is the adventure of Pinocchio. We find many of the same puppet characters famous in different lands.

Punch, the famous English puppet, is known as Punchinello in Italy, and as Polinchinelle in France. Puppets are made in different sizes. There are certain marionettes that are only 15 centimetres tall, and some have been made 9 to 12 meters tail. It is also possible to make puppet animals and they can act, as good as people.