Using Technology to Preserve Culture
Story in a box
Product Design, Physical Design
India’s many artforms and handicrafts are an integral part of our cultural heritage, representing the creativity, skill, and traditions of our forefathers. In today’s fast-paced world they are at risk of fading away. Integrating technology into handicrafts can attract a wider audience, preserve their longetivity, relevance, and bridge the generational gap.This process not only preserves cultural heritage but also provides economic opportunities for artisans, ensuring the preservation of their craft and communities.
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Puppetry is a form of storytelling that has been around for a very long time all over the world. Tholu Bommalata (trans. Leather Puppetry) is a form of puppetry from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Using electronics to automate these puppets at a smaller scale can allow them to be enjoyed and experienced by people in their homes.
Approach
Puppetry uses visuals and audio to tell a story. In my case, I had to really think about how to portray a scene without using words and with the limited movement of a puppet.
1. Selecting a story
2. Storyboarding
3. Making the puppets
4. Connecting the electronic components
5. Programming the puppets to move
Prototype 1
My first prototype involved the well-known children's story 'The Thirsty Crow' in which a crow drops pebbles into a pot to get the water to rise up for it to drink.

In my prototype, with every forward movement of the crow, where it drops a pebble into the pot, an LED lights up, to show the pot filling up. My first prototype involved the well-known children's story 'The Thirsty Crow' in which a crow drops pebbles into a pot to get the water to rise up for it to drink.

With every forward movement of the crow, where it drops a pebble into the pot, an LED lights up, to show the pot filling up.Cooking is a meaningful interaction between the elderly and children. Cooking and food can bridge the communication gap, forming positive connections. However, children often lack interest and do not want to engage in it.

An image of a crow puppet made of leather parchment
Prototype 2
In the second prototype, I chose a story from Hindu Mythology. In this story, gods and demons are churning an ocean with the help of a snake in hopes of finding the Amrutham, the drink of immortality. In this process, they find several celestial beings and objects.

Below are images of the puppets.
Final Output