Sangeet Natak Akademi initiates puppetry training for children in state to revive traditional art

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In a bid to rejuvenate the age-old tradition of puppetry, the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) in Tripura has embarked on a mission to impart training in puppetry making and manipulation to young enthusiasts, in collaboration with the Tripura Puppet Theater. Prabhitangsu Das, a revered puppeteer and recipient of the SNA award in Agartala, shared with India Today NE that since 2022, the Tripura Puppet Theater has been actively conducting training programs for children, aimed at fostering skills in puppetry making and manipulation.

“From 2023 to 2024, we conducted regular training sessions every Sunday, culminating in public puppetry performances. These sessions were open to all, and the culmination of our efforts was marked by the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Tripura Puppet Theater in March 2024,” stated Das, who also serves as the director of the theater.Following the success of these initiatives, officials from the Sangeet Natak Akademi approached Das to extend similar training opportunities to children under the Kala Deeksha program for a duration of one year.

“The SNA has enlisted 10 children for this program, covering various aspects of puppetry, including crafting and manipulation techniques. The training, which commenced on March 01 this year, is currently focusing on puppet-making, with performances slated for a later date. Notably, the Sangeet Natak Akademi is providing a stipend to the participants to support their engagement in this endeavor,” shared Das. Established in 1974 by Haripada Das, the Tripura Puppet Theater has been instrumental in preserving and promoting the art form, with Prabhitangsu Das now at its helm. In February of this year, the theater organized the ‘Tripura International Puppet Festival,’ a three-day extravaganza commemorating its 50th anniversary. The festival saw participation from puppet theater groups from various countries and regions, showcasing the universal appeal and cultural significance of puppetry.

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