Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
Simple themes, simply told
|
Two puppet shows — from Spain and Israel, delved on the need to coexist with Nature's creations lucidly
|
PHOTO: K. PICHUMANI
TELLING THE TRUTH From La Fabula De La Rosa
One could let slip the mask of the adult and join in the laughter of the children who rolled in mirth as the antics of angry farmers, clever foxes, witches and fakirs unfolded on successive evenings recently .The Museum Theatre with its old world ambience was an ideal setting for these puppet shows, from Spain and Israel, which put forth the message on the need to coexist with Nature's creations and also presented elemental truths about human nature. The puppet shows, which formed part of Prakriti Foundation's Tree of Life festival, were held in association with Ishara International Puppet festival and Teamworkfilms.
La Fabula De La Rosa (The Fable of the Fox) by Titiriteros de Binefar from Spain was directed by Paco Parico Casado. It put together characters and stories from well-known fables and wove a tapestry that delighted young and old. It taught lessons on tolerance. One could also marvel at the pageant of life and the beauty of the changing seasons. The two puppeteers handled the string and rod puppets dexterously; the facial expressions of the flexible marionettes were matched by the ventriloquism. The sets played as much of the heroes' role as the animals. The farmhouse was sketched in the background while the action took place on the rocky area in the foreground. Here, in the hollow of a tree trunk lives the fox and the rodent that teases and plays with him. They both sip at the life-giving water that cascades from the rock. When the fox's depredation of the hen house infuriates the farmer, he puts up a fence to keep him out. But this does not deter the fox. Then comes the story of the crow and the cheese and the role played by true friendship and love. It all ends happily with the coming of spring and the revival of life.
The 50-minute show had the completeness of a Walt Disney animated film. The manner in which spring arrives with flowers pushing up their heads through the soil and the twittering of the birds filling the air, thrilled the audience. As did the whiffs of smoke ensuing from the chimneys in the distance. Music and lighting were the other highlights of the presentation.
The next evening brought one in contact with a different cultural tradition and a different form of puppetry. Unlike the previous show, which was sans text, these stories had introductions and a great deal of dialogue. Karagoz ,"The Witches" and "Indian Fakir" by Ttiyatro Tempo from Turkey directed by Haluck Yuce was in three parts. The first was a traditional Turkish puppetry show. It narrated the rivalry between two men, Hacivat and Karagoz, and the manner in which the latter, manages to turn the tables on his better off friend. This was followed by the segment — in which these two traditional characters again appear — centred around a lover's quarrel and witchcraft. Colourful leather puppets were manipulated skilfully, very much like the leather puppet shows we are familiar with here. The sounds emanating from the indigenous bamboo instrument were interesting and the Turkish dialogue between the characters, interspersed with English, was full of anger and passion. The puppeteer then won the hearts of his young viewers by teaching them how to juggle with scarves, colourful balls and clubs. The finale featured an adorable Indian Fakir puppet, which played the pipe with great skill. And what's more, out of a basket came not a serpent, but a miniature version of the Fakir, which mimicked him perfectly.
The whole show was interactive. The two evenings showed how simple themes when well executed can be effective stress busters.
KAUSALYA SANTHANAM
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
|
