A tabletop Ramlila backdrop
Turn a tabletop into a miniature Ramlila puppet stage for Dussehra storytelling at home.
- Easy with adult help
- About 45 min plus drying
- Use what you own; check local prices
- 6 steps
Turn a tabletop into a miniature Ramlila puppet stage for Dussehra storytelling at home. A low cardboard frame and a plain cloth background keep the project achievable in an afternoon. The aim is a short shared performance, with space for children to narrate, hold scenery or simply watch.
Keep ready
- Cardboard box
- Paint
- Paper
- Glue
How to do it
- 1Open the front of a small box with adult help.
- 2Paint a simple landscape on the back panel.
- 3Add paper scenery at the sides.
- 4Leave a clear tabletop for puppets.
- 5Rehearse a short scene without flames or working weapons.
- 6Rehearse with the puppets to check that hands can move freely. Place the stage on a stable low table and seat the audience without blocking the exit.
Helpful tips 💡
- Use a tabletop scene, not an elevated stage for children.
- Begin with a three- to five-minute scene and one narrator. Add another scene only if the children want to continue; a short complete story is easier to rehearse.
Plan ahead
Pick a scene before making scenery and measure the puppets against the stage opening. Use a small carton without staples and have an adult cut the frame.
Common questions
How long should a home Ramlila puppet performance be?
Begin with a three- to five-minute scene and one narrator. Add another scene only if the children want to continue; a short complete story is easier to rehearse.
What should I prepare before making a tabletop ramlila backdrop?
Pick a scene before making scenery and measure the puppets against the stage opening. Use a small carton without staples and have an adult cut the frame.