Mobarak: An analysis of character and visual aspects in Iranian puppetry / Negin Amin Dehkordi

Negin Amin , Dehkordi (2018) Mobarak: An analysis of character and visual aspects in Iranian puppetry / Negin Amin Dehkordi. Masters thesis, University of Malaya.

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      Abstract

      The most important and famous Iranian traditional dramas are Kheimeh Shab Bazi (The tent or booth of nocturnal play) and Rouz Bazi (The specified place like a box, cylinder shape or a quadrangular space of daily play) which have been performed since the 18th and 19th centuries. This dissertation analyzes and compares the visual aspects and characteristic features of traditional and modern Mobarak puppet in Kheimeh Shab Bazi (string) and Rouz Bazi (glove) puppet shows. Moreover, it examines how the developmental process of visual appearance of Mobarak puppets represent the social and political situation of a particular historical period. This research emphasizes the importance and value of Iranian puppetry in Iran and in the world undoubtedly. It helps theatre students and other people to collate how visual aspects can indicate the characteristic features of puppets. This current study uses a qualitative method which includes primary resources such as photos, recordings of modern Kheimeh Shab Bazi and Rouz Bazi and interviews with theatre artists such as puppeteers, puppet makers, directors, lecturers and scriptwriters. Secondary resources include related literature on string and glove puppets such as books, journal articles, dissertations, websites, electronic newspapers and archival research in different archives of puppets in museums. Modern puppet makers use new materials and instruments along with old ones to make creative puppets. In terms of the essence and main features; the funny and naughty character of traditional Mobarak puppets are the same as modern puppets. Nevertheless, today, the character of some Mobarak puppets are changed slightly according to each story that deals mostly with social, cultural, environmental and romantic issues; it means that modern Mobarak puppets are given new roles in new stories. Traditional stories are still used along with modern ones as long as it narrates the social character of Mobarak. However, traditional Mobarak puppet had a political role in some puppet shows in order to criticize and ridicule the political situation during the Qajar dynasty. For instance, puppeteers wore Frankish clothes and used the Mobarak or other puppets to indicate foreign interferences on the local governmental system. Moreover, a traditional Mobarak puppet made by Asghar Ahmadi has military uniform to represent his political role. Overall, the visual aspects of both modern and traditional string and glove Mobarak puppets represent their characteristic features and roles in each story. It is important to note that the visual aspects of traditional and modern Mobarak puppets have changed according to clothing style of three historic periods; but the main and symbolic colors (black and red) have still remained the same till today. In addition, the political role of traditional Mobarak character have been overshadowed by a more dominant social role in the modern era; but the humorous, active and naughty characteristic features of Mobarak have been maintained in modern and traditional Kheimeh Shab Bazi and Rouz Bazi.

      Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
      Additional Information: Dissertation (M.A.) – Cultural Centre, University of Malaya, 2018.
      Uncontrolled Keywords: Iranian puppetry; Mobarak; Visual analysis; Characterization
      Subjects: N Fine Arts > N Visual arts (General) For photography, see TR
      Divisions: Cultural Centre
      Depositing User: Mr Mohd Safri Tahir
      Date Deposited: 28 Sep 2018 07:02
      Last Modified: 19 Apr 2021 07:47
      URI: http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/id/eprint/8985

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