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SPEECH OF HON’BLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARI LAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF INTERNATIONAL PUPPET SHOW AT TAGORE THEATRE ON FEBRUARY 17, 2024 AT 10.45 AM

(International Puppet Show at Tagore Theater on 17.02.2024)

 Chandigarh is emerging as a vibrant center of art, music and literature in North India.

 It has a diverse population; infact it is like mini India.

 People from Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra etc. are settled here and the city has modern infrastructure, which promotes a rich cultural scene.

 The 11th edition of the International Puppet Show is being organized today.

 The objective of this annual event is to showcase puppetry as a traditional art form and preserve it by engaging the curiosity of children.

 Artists from different parts of the world will perform puppet acts, presenting different stories and cultural perspectives.

Friends,

 Puppetry in India has a rich and diverse history, dating back thousands of years.

 There is mention of 'Putla Natak' in 'Natasutra' in Panini's Ashtadhyayi, in the fourth century BC.

 In the story ‘सिंहासन बत्तीसी’ there is also mention of ‘बत्तीस पुतिलयों’ of Vikramaditya’s throne.

 During the Satyavardhan period, it expanded from India to East Asian countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Java, Sri Lanka etc.

 Today, this art has reached many countries like China, Russia, Romania, England, Czechoslovakia, America, Hungary, France and Japan etc.

 Different regions and cultures of India have different styles, techniques and stories of puppetry.

 String puppetry has been prevalent in Rajasthan, Shadow puppetry in Andhra Pradesh, Glove puppetry in Tamil Nadu and Rod puppetry in Karnataka.

 Puppetry was not only the cultural heritage of the country but also a powerful medium of entertainment, education and social commentary.

 Today, we have many mediums – radio, TV, theaters and stages with modern technological facilities.

 But earlier, there were either ‘Natak’ or puppets.

 With the advent of newer technology and modern mean of communication, it is important to save such age-old arts from extinction.

 The most significant thing about puppetry is that it is a combination of many arts:-

 Many arts like writing, theater, painting, sculpture, wood art, textile making, decoration, music, dance style etc. are used in it.

 That is why, despite being probably “lifeless”, whenever these puppets appear on the stage, they get rapt attention of the audience.

 I hope that this festival will prove to be a successful step towards preserving this ancient art of India and the world.

Thank you,

Jai Hind.