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| | Shadow Play : Accessories |
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The main accessory of shadow play is naturally the collection of hide figures. The whole process in the manufacture of the figure is described at great length in the anonymous Thai article. Cow-hide is first immersed in water till tender, then exposed to the sun to dry. It is then smoothed by an iron instrument. Soot is applied to both surfaces and the skin is left to dry in the sun. When dried it is rubbed over with a gourd so that it is polished by the gourd's smooth surface. The hide is now ready for the artist to draw figure on. The parts between the lines are then cut out.
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In the case of coloured figures for the day performances, the sooted surface is first rubbed and then repainted in colours. Light colourless surface is obtained by just scratching out the soot from the hide. For other colours the following mixtures of natural colours are employed. For green a mixture of lime and copper sulphate ; for red sandal and alum ; for yellow sandal rubbed over with lime and so on. A pole is now halved and a figure is framed between them.
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As for the design, figures are made in singles as well as in couples, the latter usually fixed in a fighting pose. Groups too are made, very often with backgrounds of celestial or human sceneries, such as mansions forests, mountains, seas, etc. Superstition ordains many formalities in the process. The figures for instance of the gods of Hinduism, such as Vishnu and Siva, and the rishi, must be made of the hide of a virgin cow and considerable offerings of articles of food by way of propitiation of the Master of shadow play would be required. For the rishi however the hide of a tiger or a bear is sometimes preferred. The artist who draws the patterns of these three exalted figures is moreover required to wear a ceremonial garb of white, and finish his work within the space of the day.
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