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Aakaar Puppet theatre was established in 1988 by Puran Bhat, of Kathputli colony, Shadipur Depot New Delhi. The group has performed in a number of schools, at the Literacy Mission, Ministry of Environment and at Pragati Maidan. Using traditional rod, string and shadow puppets, Aakaar puppet present themes which deal with social awareness such as AIDS, family planning and programs for mentally challenged children through traditional story telling. Aakaar has also presented programs for National School of Drama and on television. |
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| The company’s members are all bhat from the Kathputli Colony located in Shadipur Depot of Delhi. The company is dedicated to the conservation of traditional kathputli puppetry and development of new forms of puppetry in Indian and international cultural contexts. The group grows out of Puran Bhat’s collaboration with Dadi D. Pudumjee as a member of the Sutradhar Puppet Theatre and Ishara Puppet Theatre from the 1980s on. A wide varity of puppets, masks and other performing objects are used to tell both traditional and folk tales, as well as new stories dealing with social and educational themes. Puran Bhat has conducted workshops and performed with Aakaar Puppet Theatre and a solo artist in many countries in Europe and North America and gives annual workshops on kathputli in udaipur to international students. |
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| Aakaar uses both traditional Rajasthani string and contemporary styles puppetry. “Caarvan” a major performance by Aakaar, highlights the traditional puppeteers present day conditions and their struggle to save their art form. Aakaar has performed and conducted workshops in India and abroad. It has performed and collaborated with many national and international puppeteers and puppet groups. He has worked under Dadi D. Pudumjee and has collaborated with French, German, Mexican puppet and dance groups. Puran Bhat is the recipient of the 2003 Sangeet Natak Akademi award for puppetry. |
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