Stringing Together

Since its inception in 2001,the Ishara International Puppet Theatre Festival has brought more than 90 international puppetry groups to India,and also promoted numerous Indian productions. The festival focuses on both traditional as well as contemporary work from India and abroad,and is seen as a platform to further multimedia arts in the country.

The annual festival is celebrating its 11th anniversary this year with a wide range of performances in Delhi from across the world,three of which are travelling to Chandigarh. The line-up is a mix of string,rod and shadow puppets,along with dance,theatre and music. The festival opens on April 13 with Masha and the Bear,a production from Russia. Directed by Rita S Grigoryan,it’s about the adventures of a little girl called Masha,who loses her way in a forest while picking fruits.

Cubes Circus from Israel has been directed and conceptualised by Galia Levy-Gard. The rib-tickling show features a couple of clowns and dancers who transform cubes into animals and objects. This award-winning mime performance combines modern puppetry,sculpture and dance theatre. On the other hand,Garbage for Plums is based on a traditional Bulgarian fairy tale,where the hero is a simple man who wants a caring girl to marry,and chooses a rather strange but clever way to do it.

The event is on from April 13 to 15 at Tagore Theatre,7 pm onwards.