Japanese, Indian puppetry on display in Kolkata

Myriad facets of puppetry are being showcased in the city with traditional Japanese and Indian puppets in a unique theatre festival that concludes on Saturday.

A drama highlighting the versatility of life sized Japanese Bunraku marionettes and shows of Indian string, rod and glove puppets are the highlights of the two-day puppet festival that began here on Friday at the State Youth Centre Hall, Moulali here.

Organised by the Dhumketu Puppet Theatre and supported by the Union Ministry of Culture, the festival aims to inculcate an interest in puppetry among children and youth on the occasion of World Puppetry Day March 21.

"Modern puppetry is a unique art form and has the power to provoke audiences to think. The dolls that we use are life sized and our productions range from adaptations of Bengali folk tales to small dramas based on societal problems," Dilip Mondol, director of the puppet theatre group told IANS.

Ventriloquism and muppetry are the other forms which will be exhibited in the event.

"One of our productions is a drama revolving Bunraku (form of traditional Japanese puppet theatre) and Indian puppets to show the variety that this form has to offer. Without boring audiences, it can spread awareness," he said.