Chitrakathi Shadow Puppetry Workshops in Mumbai

The audience, filled with excited children and parents, waits for the show to begin. You can feel the anticipation in the room just before the lights go down and the story starts.

A view from the audience as they watch the Chitrakathi performance. The room is dark, and all eyes are fixed on the illuminated screen where the ancient story of the birds and the hunter unfolds.

A beautiful close-up of the hand-painted leather puppets depicting a flock of birds. The intricate details and vibrant colors of the Chitrakathi art form are visible even in silhouette.

A scene from a Panchatantra tale comes to life on the screen. The puppets, depicting a lion, rabbit, monkey, and elephant, are masterfully maneuvered by the artist to tell the story.

The powerful image of a lion meeting an elephant, told through the delicate art of shadow puppetry. Each puppet is a work of art, handcrafted by the Thakar tribal artists.

A key moment from the story of the clever rabbit and the foolish lion. The use of light and shadow creates a dynamic and engaging visual narrative for the audience.

Another beautiful shot from the performance, showing the interaction between the lion and the rabbit. These timeless fables teach important moral lessons in a visually stunning format.

A young audience member proudly poses with artist Chetan Gangavane after the show. It's a special moment connecting the next generation with the keepers of this ancient tradition.

A child shows off the Hanuman puppet he made during our post-show workshop. After watching the performance, kids get to create and color their own puppets to take home.