The Hindu : New Delhi News : Japanese puppet theatre is here

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 03, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Japanese puppet theatre is here

Madhur Tankha

To be held at Japanese School in Vasant Kunj on January 16

NEW DELHI: Japan Foundation brings to the Capital the well-known Japanese puppet theatre, "Otome Bunraku", this month. Evolved in the 20th Century in Osaka specifically for women, the show will be held at Japanese School here in Vasant Kunj on January 16.

Earlier, this popular puppet theatre was known as Bunraku. It had its origin in the Edo period and developed primarily in the 17th and 18th Centuries.

It is one of the four forms of Japanese classical theatre, the others being Kabuki, Noh and Kyogen.

Bunraku is also called Ningyo Joururi, a name that points to its origin and essence: Ningyo means doll or puppet, while Joururi is the name of a style of dramatic narrative chanting accompanied by the three-stringed shamisen.

The puppets are about one metre tall and manipulated by up to three persons.

"Otome Bunraku" is a contemporary version of Bunraku. Instead of the traditional Bunraku in which three puppeteers operate a single puppet, "Otome Bunraku" is performed by a single puppeteer. Since only one person is involved, the movement of the puppets is exceptionally smooth and fast.

Composed of a head, shoulder, trunk, arms and legs, the puppet also has eyes that move in all directions. Its eyebrows can be raised and lowered and its mouth can open and close. There are about 70 different traditional types of heads.

Bunraku is today treasured as a precious historical performing art and has even been designated by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation as a `masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage".

Entry to the show will be free.

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