Strings attached

Spain's unique goat family, Peter and the wolf from UK, a musical menagerie of animals from Ireland, Italy's fearless knight and star-crossed lovers from India - the 12th edition of the Ishara Puppet Theatre Festival offers this and more. With 10 international acts featuring a blend of traditional and contemporary practices ranging from rod, string and shadow puppetry, the festival promises to regale young audiences in New Delhi, Chandigarh and Gurgaon.

"Brand new groups from around the world are participating this year. This edition also marks the debut of Azerbaijan," says Dadi Pudumjee, founder of the Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust that organises the festival. Countries like Bulgaria and Azerbaijan are taking the audience into the typical folk environment with their acts. Tumba Lumba directed by Hristina Arsenova from Bulgaria focuses on the sound of the folk percussion instrument that pulsates with the rhythm of life. Chantatrio by Azerbaijan's Gurban Mansimov is a delightful non-verbal play about a dancing donkey, a young man on a lookout for love and a mischievous blackbird that thinks rather highly of itself. Like the Bulgarian play, this one too creates insights about the folk culture of the country.

Another interesting act is The Musical Menagerie by Thomas Baker from Ireland, which is about two zoo keepers and their ruminations about their first days on the job. "Tommy (Thomas) is one of the most popular puppeteers internationally. Animals like Sheridan the sloth, and Gilbert the gibbon, are brought on stage accompanied by delightful instrumental music," says Pudumjee. Israel too marks its presence with Pinhas!, which does a unique take on the traditional Punch and Judy style of puppetry. Pinhas, the first traditional Israeli glove puppet, embarks on an adventure with his friends and enemies like Ruthi, the hungry camel Gamali and famous army general Moshe Dayan. "For the first time we are featuring a hand shadow performance, titled Peter and the wolf, by Drew Colby from UK. From India, Anurupa Roy of Katkatha presents a unique impression of life using sound and newspapers," says Pudumjee.

The festival will also feature workshops for teachers, students and professional puppeteers by two teachers from TOPIC, the international puppet museum centre from Tolosa, Spain.

Ishara Puppet Theatre Festival will be held between February 24 and March 4