For those interested in folk art and culture, the first International Puppet Festival, organised by the Dhaatu Puppet Theatre, will take off on January 1, 2015.
“The purpose of this festival, where 100 artistes are congregating, is to create a platform for the exchange of ideas and understanding the techniques that are embedded in the nooks and corners of rural India. Entertainment with visual treat of puppetry apart, the festival aims at educating the public through assembly of ideas, conferences and discussions,” says Anupama Hoskere (in pic), founder-director of Dhaatu.
Current need
If the worrying point is the fading away of the art form with no new people entering the field, then one has to visit the puppet hamlets of each State to document the diminishing techniques, says Anupama.
“Dhaatu is gradually creating a knowledge-base, as there is no text available for teaching this art form at the university level. After all, amongst the surviving teams in each segment of puppetry in Karnataka, only about 60 exist now, with nearly 60 per cent being shadow-puppetry performers. We need all the forms to survive,” she says.
The festival will see 16 papers from India, Russia, France, Belgium, China and U.S. being presented.
Focal point
The Indian contingent will have representatives from the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, New Delhi, Tripura and West Bengal, who will contribute to the discussion focussing on ‘Exploring classical roots and living traditions in puppetry’ addressing the issues related to music, dance, literature, prosodies, philosophy, emotions and design formulation.
As many as 18 puppet shows will be performed.
Inauguration
The fest will be inaugurated at the JSS auditorium in VIII Block, Jayanagar, by the former Chief Justice of India M.N. Venkatachalaiah.
