The puppets
A set consists of at least 28 puppets. There are pieces of scenery on the stage, such as a throne. Painted backdrops represent the scene of the action: a forest or a palace. Each puppet has its own particular way of dancing, with accompanying music and song. (It is said that live dancers have copied their movements from the puppets.)
The wood has to be resistant, easy to carve and light. The type 'Gmelina arborea' (yamanay) is often used. Most puppets have eleven strings. Five of these strings attach the head, the shoulders and the rump to the H-shaped wooden cross piece. The upper arms, thighs and hands are operated with the six remaining strings which hang loose and are draped over the cross piece.
The anatomical aspects of the puppets have been studied by Dr Tin Maung Kyi, a medical doctor from Mandalay and expert on Burmese puppetry. He discusses the construction, measurements, and movements of the puppets in -unpublished- papers that are illustrated with excellent drawings. He has carved a number of beautiful puppets as well. Generally, a puppet is made up of 17 to 19 pieces: the head and neck piece, the body in 2 pieces, a pair of arms in 6 pieces and a pair of legs in 8 pieces. They are joined together by means of strings. The height of a puppet is determined by its head, and the head circumference by a hand-span (a measure between thumb and tip of the middle finger, which is roughly equivalent to 9 inches). The formula is: a hand span plus 4 fingers' breadth is the circumference of the head; the head length from top to chin is the standard unit; seven and a half times of this is the height of the puppet from top to toe; and half of the height is the arm length from the shoulder to the tip of the middle finger. Nowadays, the puppets measure between 45-70 cm. An interesting detail is that the sexual organs are carved as well, even though they cannot be seen.
The head, hands and feet of the puppets representing humans are carved and painted, after which the body parts are tied together. Then the strings are attached to the cross piece. Finally, the puppet is dressed in the clothes and given the attributes that correspond to its character. Souvenir puppets, smaller in size, are sold in temple shops and markets, and much appreciated by tourists.