Heads and Tales

Subasis Neogi cannot wipe the look of excitement from his face. He and his team are engaging kids in making giant puppets and weaving educational stories around them. “We design and facilitate different kinds of learning experiences for children,young people and adults. Our programs are designed for deep interaction,participation and sharing,and our basket of techniques include games,theatre,puppetry,story-telling,art etc,” explains Harleen Kohli,who is running this project for Ethonova,a resource group,in Chandigarh.

Neogi’s team members — Archana Magar,Sarita Bhargav,Sheetal Sharma and others — take measurements,draw out the anatomy of a puppet and knot the wires together,making a base for the puppet. “Once the wire frame is made,we plaster household waste on it,” ranging from balloons,odd buttons,pens,mugs,plastic,bags,clothes. Neogi uses anything and everything to make a giant puppet,which may resemble a bird or a caterpillar or a butterfly. “This is to let children know the size of things,to use them and think of stories around them,” says Kohli,adding how such techniques are used with the intention of unlocking creative expression. They also contribute in healing as well as adding new beliefs,ideas and “how to’s” to the experience of students,teachers and parents.

All ages are welcome at the giant puppets making workshop at Balmiki Bhavan,Sector 24,Chandigarh.

The workshop is on till June 2,9:30am to 1 pm