KENDRAPARA: The dancing dolls present a life full of colour and fun but the declining patronage of the once-popular art form, which can be used to entertain and educate both children and adults, lacks the sheen in this world of modern gadgets. The century-old art of glove puppetry (Sakhi Kundhei) of Mantipada village under Derabishi block of Kendrapara district is in its death throes. Glove-puppet shows have been on the wane in the coastal district and other areas due to lack of promotion by the authorities concerned. A puppeteer Kedar Singh of Mantripada village said all the four forms of puppetry in Orissa -- glove, shadow (Ravana Chaya), rod (Kathi Kundehi) and string (Gopalila Kundhei) -- have virtually vanished. A glove- puppet show staged recently, after a long gap, witnessed a thin turnout. Glove- puppets move on stage by the swift hand works of the artists and the rhythm of dialogues and melodious songs attract the viewer’s attention, said Parmeswar Singh, one of the glove-puppeteers of Mantripada. ``The business, however, has seen a slump in three decades. We used to earn our livelihood by performing Sakhi Kundhei in villages and towns, in sundry religious and other functions,’’ said Parmeswar. At least 35 families used to perform the age-old art form till 1980s but the number has come down to about 10, said Singh. Puppet shows have now become a mere seasonal business where the artists get to stage shows for about four months during the festival season, adds Singh. “Puppet shows have powerful visual impact and establish direct rapport with the audience. It can be tailored to promote civic sense, promote awareness of socio-economic problems and national issues. But research and experiment in the field, as in other folk art forms, is woefully limited. It will be worthwhile for the government to look into the neglected art form and evolve schemes for its revival in a big way, “ said Prakash Chandra Sahoo, a schoolteacher of the Mantripada.