Guwahati, March 30: On the occasion of World Theatre Day, a two-day
workshop on Putala Nách – The Puppetry of Assam was organised by the Centre for
Indian Knowledge Systems in association with the Royal School of Fine Arts and
IQAC.
An insightful lecture was delivered by Dr. Moushumi Bhattacharjee, who highlighted
the historical, cultural, and aesthetic dimensions of Assamese puppetry.
Veteran puppeteer Abani Kanta Sarma (70 years), founder of Ruby Puppet
Theatre (established in 1974), presented a captivating puppetry performance –
Gouripuria Gabhoru.
Renowned for his exceptional skill, he uniquely renders voices
for both male and female characters himself. His theatre recently completed 50
years, and he has been honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) Award,
along with several other recognitions.
Following his performance, students showcased what they had learned during the
workshop through a lively presentation. The entire programme reflected the true
spirit of the Indian Knowledge Systems, blending traditional wisdom with experiential
learning.
