When you think of puppets, the image of strings controlling their movements will surely come to your mind.
But at the 10th edition of the Ishara International Puppet festival in the city, you will come across puppets made from things like handkerchiefs, lamps, and rolls of paper towels, apart from the regular string and hand puppets.
“I use hand puppets and the rest is puppetry made from a lamp, a roll of paper towels, a pillow and a bathrobe,” says Hilary Chaplain from USA, whose performance is called A Life in Her Day.“I am using string puppets for my acts, but they are very different from the traditional Rajasthani puppets. While Rajasthani puppets are moved using hands, my puppets can be moved only using a cross. One of my puppets is unique because it is just made of scarves and handkerchiefs,” says Mohammad Shameem, who is going to perform the act called Hamara Circus.The festival, which is going to be held in both Delhi and Gurgaon, will have puppetry performances by artists not only from India, but also from across the world.
“This year, we have groups and artists from Germany, USA, Israel, Taiwan, as well as Afghanistan, which is making its debut with the Parwaz Puppet Theatre Group,” says Dadi Pudumjee, founder of the Ishara Puppet Theatre.“This is our second performance in India. The first one was in 2010 at the National School of Drama where we had showcased BOZAK-E-CHINI (The Goat and the Wolf). We’re excited that we will get a chance to show this again here,” says Ahmad from the Parwaz Puppet Theatre Group.
{{/usCountry}}“This year, we have groups and artists from Germany, USA, Israel, Taiwan, as well as Afghanistan, which is making its debut with the Parwaz Puppet Theatre Group,” says Dadi Pudumjee, founder of the Ishara Puppet Theatre.“This is our second performance in India. The first one was in 2010 at the National School of Drama where we had showcased BOZAK-E-CHINI (The Goat and the Wolf). We’re excited that we will get a chance to show this again here,” says Ahmad from the Parwaz Puppet Theatre Group.
{{/usCountry}}The festival will also give a chance to other puppeteers who are not performing at the festival. “We will also have platform performances outside the venue by talented puppeteers, who will get a chance to showcase their skills,” says Pudumjee.
The puppets displayed at the Ishara festival will be showcased in an exhibition at the India International Centre from February 2 - 11.
Facts and moreWhat: Ishara International Puppet FestivalWhen: 3rd - 13th Feb at India Habitat Centre; 1st to 5th Feb and 13th to 15th Feb at Epicentre, GurgaonEntry: Tickets available at India Habitat Centre for Rs 250 and Rs 100, and at Epicentre Gurgaon for Rs 250
Schedule:
Hamara Circus (India)When: 1st February, 7.30 pm Where: Epicentre Gurgaon
The Earth & The Universe (Iran)When: 2nd February, 7.30pmWhere: Epicentre GurgaonWhen: 5th February, 6.30pm Where: Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre
A Life In Her Day (USA) When: 3rd February, 6.30pm Where: Amphitheatre, India Habitat CentreWhen: 5th February, 7.30pm Where: Epicentre Gurgaon
Sanjay And His Master (Germany) When: 4th February, 7pm and 8.15 pm Where: Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre
Bozak-e-Chini (Afghanistan) When: 7th February, 6.30pmWhere: Amphitheatre, India Habitat CentreWhen: 4th February, 7.30pmWhere: Epicentre, Gurgaon
Paper Cut (Israel)When: 8th February, 6.30pm Where: Amphitheatre, India Habitat CentreWhen: 13th February, 7.30pm Where: Epicentre, Gurgaon
The Backyard story (Taiwan) When: 6th February, 6.30pm Where: Amphitheatre, India Habitat CentreWhen: 3rd February, 7.30pm Where: Epicentre, Gurgaon
Oh rats! and A package for Granny (Australia)When: 9th February, 6.30pmWhere: Amphitheatre, India Habitat Centre
Creation of earth, based on adivasi folk tales (India)When: 10th February, 6.30pmWhere: Amphitheatre, India Habitat Centre
Chick with a trickWhen: 11th February, 6.30pm and 8pm Where: Amphitheatre, India Habitat CentreWhen: 14th February, 7.30pm Where: Epicentre, Gurgaon
The Circus Stachamoose (Ireland) When: 12th February, 6.30pm and 8pm Where: Amphitheatre, India Habitat CentreWhen: 15th February, 7.30pmWhere: Epicentre, Gurgaon
Gone with the Feet (Italy)When: 13th February, 6.30pm Where: Amphitheatre, India Habitat Centre