Puppets, play, and learning: Workshop begins in Mysuru

A workshop organised as part of the National Puppetry Festival got off to a start at Hardwicke School campus on J.L.B. Road in Mysuru on December 16.

Organised by the Indian Institute of Educational Theatre (IIET), Mysuru, in collaboration with Astikya Foundation, the national festival aims to celebrate, revive, and promote the diverse heritage of Indian puppetry through performances, workshops, and scholarly engagement.

The festival began with the inauguration of a puppetry workshop. Noted theatre personality Prasanna, renowned theatre exponent Rameshwari Varma and puppet designer Shashidhar Adapa were present. The workshop will run until December 20.

On the occasion, Mr. Prasanna shared his insights during an interaction with the audience. Mr. Adapa will guide participants on puppetry art at the workshop.

The National Puppetry Festival will formally begin on December 19, with the major highlight being national artistic collaboration; leading puppetry and storytelling teams are participating, including Burdwan The Puppeteers, West Bengal, Talking Turtles Storytellers, Hyderabad, Rangaputhali Puppeteers, Bengaluru, Sanchari Theatre, Bengaluru, Gagan and team, Bengaluru, and Pyooppatree, Kerala.

Notably, IIET has joined hands with various educational institutions in Mysuru to introduce children to the creative world of puppetry. It has invited artists, students, educators, and the general public to join the puppetry celebration.

The valedictory ceremony of the festival will be held on December 21.