Director : Charmi Chedda
Year of Production : 2008
Duration : 14 Minutes
Version : 35 mm / Hindi

Synopsis :

Katputli is a fascinating story about the origin of the art form of puppetry. A young boy named Vaiku is an orphan, but a god gifted artist. He lives by the large tree, deep in the forest. One day accidentally Vaiku reaches the khilona palace and bumps into the very unkind and cruel Katliputran. He is fascinated with a doll named Mansi in the palace made by Katliputran.

On expressing his interest to learn the art of making dolls, Katliputran throws him out of the palace. Very ironic it is but Katliputran though a toy maker hates children.
Back at her home he explained his animal friends how katliputran threw him out of the palace. They were annoyed and wanted to teach katliputran a lesson, Karishma gives an idea to the animals. They combined all their powers and that energy disc travels to the palace and withers petals over Mansi the beautiful doll. The doll then comes alive and breaks into a celestial dance. Katliputran is shocked to see his work come alive, as it is every artist’s dream. The doll starts moving out of the palace and reaches Vaiku’s forest. Katliputran follows her and reaches the tree as well. He is surprised to see Vaiku’s work and realizes his mistake. Karishma then helps him to understand that as an artist it’s very important for him to share his work with an apprentice. Knowledge would only grow when imparted. He agrees to teach Vaiku the art of making dolls, but leaves the responsibility of bringing her to life on him.

Vaiku wants to grab this opportunity but is confused how he can do so. Vaiku gets the idea of tying string to the hands and limbs of the doll and manipulating her. He does that, and moves the string in a certain fashion. Miraculously the doll looks like she is dancing like she is alive. Katliputran gets very excited and feels very proud of the boy. Vaiku names the dancing doll, katliputran’s katputli. And with this started the great art form of puppetry.