People from Puppetland

The giant djinns look down at the people passing by,their robes fluttering menacingly in the breeze,their eyes probing from under their turbans. Walk past them,and the fairytale land gets even more populous — brides,ghosts and fantasy figures in all colours are spread across the basement of India International Centre Annexe,at Lodhi Road,where an exhibition titled Puppets ka Ishara is being held as part of the ongoing Ishara International Puppet Festival.

Figures made from sticks and paper,tiny midgets who prance at the pull of a string,sprightly ghosts who appear to have walked in from Macbeth,and village belles and country bumpkins made from cloth are among the 50 puppets on display. The puppets have been crafted by Delhi-based puppeteer Dadi Pudumjee and the Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust and include the glove,string and stick varieties.

The eight-day-long exhibition has drawn large crowds of families and children,many of who pose with the displays. “I came with my seven-year-old daughter and she was so excited after seeing these colourful figures,” said Sydney-based artiste,Nortan Mellis who is on a vacation to India. “The exhibition presents a unique part of Indian culture that we don’t get to see otherwise,” he added.

Puppets ka Ishara is on till February 10 at Art Gallery,Annexe Building,IIC. Contact: 24619431