When Objects Express

Ghosh’s initial introduction to this form was very fleeting. “During certain discussions at Katkatha Puppets Arts Trust,founded by Anurupa Roy,I came across this term and was intrigued by it,” says the actor,who has been working with Roy since 2004. When she came to know about the summer workshop in France for mid-career theatre puppetry professionals,she applied immediately and was among the 15 selected practitioners.

Once she was back in India,her friends prodded her to conduct workshops for them. The small living room in her Andheri home became the space for these workshops. She also held workshops for children at her parental home in Delhi’s CR Park. “Theatre actors such as Ratnabali Bhattacharjee,Kshipra Jain and others came forward to make Nostos in different capacities. Other enthusiasts such as actors Puja Sarup and Faezeh Jalali also worked closely,” says Ghosh,who divides her time between Mumbai and Delhi.

Bhattacharjee says,“Object Theatre expands the range of an actor. It challenges an actor to breathe life into an inanimate object and bring out its character.”

Delhi-based Roy believes that India is ready for new things. “Our audiences have been exposed to many new forms over the years. Credit goes to the Ishara International Puppet Festival,which has completed 10 years and has been bringing the international puppet scene to India,” says the Katkatha founder. She is happy that Ghosh is trying to find a definition for Object Theatre,which is Indian and her own. “This struggle is leading to wonderful innovations,” Roy adds. The next production by Tram Theatre,A Bird’s Eye View,can vouch for that. In this,Ghosh gives a view of the conflict-ridden world through a war carrier pigeon’s eyes. This non-verbal performance will take place at Delhi’s Alliance Francaise on April 19-20 before travelling to Mumbai.