Puppet Festival Curation & Management

Puppetry That Travels the World

I love how puppetry speaks to everyone - it’s not just a show, it’s a language. With over twenty years of running the Ishara International Puppet Theatre Festival in New Delhi, I’ve seen how a well-crafted puppetry event can connect people from everywhere.

How I Curate the Festival

Every year, I search for unique voices in puppetry - from witty Don Quixote tales out of Brazil to wild, surreal cabarets from Italy. You’ll see glove puppets from Taiwan, comic heroes from Korea, and string puppets dancing from Sri Lanka. Spain brings hands to life in non-verbal stories. The lineup is always global, always fresh.

Indian Roots, Modern Twists

While the festival is international, I make sure our Indian stories shine too. Expect Panchatantra classics like ‘The Monkey & The Crocodile’, regional textiles turned into puppets, and scripts that ask simple yet deep questions like, “Baap ka naam?” (What’s your father’s name?).

More Than Just a Show

This isn’t only about sitting quietly. Kids, adults, grandparents - everyone finds something. There’s shadow play, rod puppets, even giant puppets. Some stories don’t use words at all. No matter where you’re from, the themes - courage, friendship, creativity - feel close to home.

What Goes On Behind the Scenes

Managing an international puppet festival means handling everything from creative curation to festival logistics and partnerships with venues and cultural bodies. I make sure every bit, from the first puppet to the last applause, runs smooth and feels special.