Music and Time Annotation << Back Traditional Indian Puppet Theater at Crossing Times T.V. Kartashova, V.D. Kartashov The article presents a panorama of regional varieties of traditional puppet theater, covering various States of multiethnic India. In the East of the region (the States of West Bengal, Assam, Tripura), putul nach performances involving humansized wooden cane puppets are widespread. In the state of Rajasthan, the kathputli puppet theater has become popular; South Indian Karnataka puppets controlled by wire strings are called gombeyatta. In Tamilnadu, teatral performances are known as bommalattam; the design of controlling dolls combines both the technique of a cane and a thread (wire). The tradition of glove puppets is widespread in the state of Orissa-kundhei theater; this type of puppet art is now found in Kerala – pavakuthu, played in the style of dance drama Kathakali. The content of the plays is based on themes from the Mahabharata, Ramayana and episodes from the Puranas, and also touches on contemporary issues of Indian society. In all the canons of theatrical performances, the influence of the religious principle can be traced. The musical component of the puppet theater, which combines elements of regional and classical traditions, is also considered. In the twenty-first century, puppet theaters are operating all over India, becoming an important link in the entertainment industry. Keywords: South Asia, India, Puppet Theater, Kathputli, Pava Kathakali, Gombeyatta, Kundhei, Bommalattam, Yampuri. Pp. 03-07.