Right: In Burma—or Myanmar, as named by the current regime—puppet plays have been performed since at least the 1400s. In the 1700s, the royal court began to formally sponsor and regulate the puppet theater, causing it to quickly grow in prestige. In the 1800s, puppet theater was considered the most highly developed of the entertainment arts, and was also the most popular. Though no longer as popular today, the tradition is still maintained by a small number of performing troupes.
picture by Erik Finch.
Left: I saved this picture last month from Picasa Album from Maloy84.
I saved it with the the original caption:
"A puppet striking a pose for me."
The World Puppet Day is celebrated on March, 21.