Kannada play blends Japan’s Bunraku puppetry with WWII narratives
The HinduIn recent years, the age-old art of puppetry has experienced a vibrant resurgence in Kannada theatre, with its unique blend of tradition and innovation. One such play that has recently won the hearts of audiences across Karnataka is Kalabhi Theatre and Nirdiganta’s A Friend Beyond the Fence, to be showcased in Ranga Shankara, J.P. Nagar on July 28. Directed by Shravan Heggodu, the Kannada play is based on the life of eight-year-old Alex, the son of a self-appointed Nazi officer, and Ethan, a Jewish boy of the same age, and Timbo, a baby elephant, separated by a barbed wire fence in a concentration camp in Poland. This play brings out the thoughts and conversations between children, how they build friendships even in a camp site and more.” Japan’s traditional puppets What makes the play stand out is the use of a life size elephant puppet on stage along with many other puppets. All the puppets in the play are operated using the Bunraku puppetry technique, a traditional form of Japanese puppetry, which is known for its excellence in craftsmanship and manipulation techniques with three artists operating a puppet.
History of this topic
A festival that showcases puppetry for all ages
Live MintDiscover Related
