Puppetry is the most popular show in Myanmar arts and culture. The puppets are backed by expert
manipulators who conversed, joked and relative humorous stories
through their puppets to the delight of the audience. At least four
manipulators took charge of a character using handling rods and strings at
the back of the curtain and give voice to the puppets. Puppets are
beautifully dressed in lavish embellishment with gilded materials and
semi precious gems, depends on their characters. Puppet shows usually
take place at pagoda festivals, which are like country fairs. Marionette
theatre is now mostly confined to tourist venues in Yangon, Mandalay
and Bagan.