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Gujarat’s master puppeteer Mahipat Kavi, who used puppetry to change Indian society, dies at 97
Described as a writer, musician, translator, and educator, besides being a puppeteer, Mahipat Kavi's art spread messages on family planning, health, HIV/AIDS, and environmental issues.
Awarded Padma Shri in 2023, Mahipat Kavi began mastering the art from the 1960s, using it mostly for theatre and mass communication.
Mahipat Kavi, the master puppeteer who used art to communicate social messages, died on Saturday, early morning, at his Ahmedabad home due to age-related issues. He was 97.
Kavi’s final rites will be held later in the day, the family said.
Awarded Padma Shri in 2023, Kavi began mastering the art from the 1960s, using it mostly for theatre and mass communication.
He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 2011. He had established Puppets & Plays in Ahmedabad (1975) and written over a hundred plays based on puppets.
“A week ago, he stopped all food and liquid intake, kept sinking, and passed away at 5 am today (Saturday),” said his daughter Pallavi.
Born in Jinej village of Khambhat taluka in Anand district, Kavi and his wife Leelaben had worked together designing both rod and string puppets to tell their stories, and later made Ahmedabad their home. Leelaben passed away 10 years ago.
The couple had four children, Pallavi being the only daughter. He is survived by his daughter, two sons, and their families. One of the sons passed away five months ago, she said.
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In a 2004 paper titled, ‘The Putli in Gujarat’ published by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Kavi wrote, “When I first saw a performance of Rajasthan puppets, it must have created a great impression on me. I was only nine years old then, but the magic is still fresh in my mind”. And thus in 1963, he made puppetry his profession.
Described as a writer, musician, translator, and educator, besides being a puppeteer, Kavi’s art spread messages on family planning, health, HIV/AIDS, and environmental issues.
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