Artists stage play for revival of puppetry in Rajasthan

Jaipur, Sept 28 : India's traditional form of entertainment puppetry is being revived in Rajasthan as a group of artists have come together and are organising puppet shows in Jaipur.

Hordes of people were seen enjoying the flavour of traditional culture of Rajasthan, at Jawahar Kala Kendra, in the form of a musical play presented by dozen of artists dressed in colourful puppets costumes on Sunday.

Artists dressed as puppets expressed the sorrow over the extinction of the traditional puppetry of Rajasthan, which has been the major source of entertainment of the state since ages.

"The concept of this show is that puppetry one of the traditional art of Rajasthan is slowly getting extinct. The objective of this show is that it depicts the feelings of the puppet where it expresses its feelings over the slow extinction of the artwork. They want to save it and take it to the international level. This is country's prestigious art form which should not remain in obscurity," said Swati Gaur, a performer in the show.

The show also showcased that the puppetry artists are striving hard to save the dying art and want to popularise it at the national and international forum.

"The theme of the show is to depict Rajasthan's culture which can have international influence that one can fall in love with it. The concept of this show is to display the beautiful colours of Rajasthan culture," said Chirag Ninani, a performer in the show.

The human puppet show was organised by artists who have been involved with this art since generations.

The director of the puppet show, Raju said that it tries to put into perspective the fame that Rajasthan puppetry deserves.

"The main thought associated with the human puppet is to depict the fame that Rajasthan puppets deserve and that it has not received. The pain of puppets has been depicted in the show through play and dances. Man is mortal so these humans may die but the story of Rajasthan puppetry will live forever," said Raju.

The organisation of such kind of plays is the first attempt on the part of artists to revive this dying art. It has attracted many spectators into its fold. Even foreigners enjoy this art.

Although with changing times and wide advancement in technology people have found new means of entertainment, traditional puppetry has its own charm and appeal. Unfortunately, the art is on the verge of extinction and artists are struggling hard to revive the art.

In this land of deserts- Rajasthan, puppetry has a long history and it has been an important mean of entertainment for the people of the state.

ANI