In its attempt to rejuvenate leather puppetry, an ancient art form, the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath is hosting a nine-day Festival of Leather Puppets from May 3 on its premises.
Exhibition of leather puppets, workshop, puppetry, and a symposium on issues pertaining to restoration of the art form are part of this festival, according to Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath general secretary D.K. Chowta.
For the first time, the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, popularly known as CKP, is displaying its valuable antique leather puppetry collection. Art director and puppet maker Shashidhara Adapa has formatted and designed the show.
The CKP has collected over 3,000 leather puppets in the last five decades, thanks to the efforts of philanthropists Arya Murthy, M.S. Nanjunda Rao and M.J. Kamalakshi. They have collected these puppets from various villages in south India, with support from Hombaiah and his troupe. Around 700 puppets will be showcased in all the four major galleries, Dr. Chowta said. The show also intends to address the wider question on how to revive appropriate art forms and representations, which has taken a back seat in the contemporary practices, said Prof. Kamalakshi, who will make a presentation during the event.
Art historian H.A. Anil Kumar said a workshop on making puppets would be conducted for the youth. A series of talks on puppetry would be held too, he said.
Some of the puppets date back to the beginning of the 19th century.
While the original puppets will be on display, their reproductions on mugs and calendars will be sold during the event.
