Thai puppet dolls

The Joe Louis Theater at the Suan Lum Night Bazaar Area presents traditional Thai puppetry, which is distinguished because the puppets are held by at least three dancers on stage, and the dancers' movements and facial expression are synchcronized with the puppet's. I've watched at the Joe Louis twice: in 2005, "The birth of Sudsakorn" (or this must be Thotsakarn of the Ramakien, the Thai Ramayana), and this year, "The birth of Ganesh."

This is the doll version of Hanuman, the white monkey, who figures prominently in the classical Thai puppet theater. He is a character in the Ramakien, and his role is oftentimes funny, providing comic relief in the show.

This is the doll version of the puppet Ganesh. I have seen him in several Indian shops in Malaysia, but never bought his replica because I didn't have any idea who he was. But after watching at Joe Louis, I appreciated him. Ganesh is the son of Uma, reincarnation of Satee, Isuan's late consort. She created him out of her own perspiration, while Isuan was away. When Isuan came back to the temple, Ganesh, who was tasked to guard the gates apprehended him, not knowing he was his father. In anger, Isuan cut Ganesh's head. Uma revealed to Isuan that the boy was their son, so Isuan asked a warrior to go and find a replacement for the boy's head. He instructed the warrior to cut off the head of the first living thing he would meet. It turned out the first living thing was an elephant. That explains why Ganesh had an elephant's head. He is the guardian of the temple, and is a beloved diety of many Hindu.

Both dolls have vinyl bodies, but the costumes are finely detailed.