Puppet Theatre Festival - कठपुतली रंगमंच महोत्सव

The Puppet Theatre Festival held in Mumbai is primarily a result of the zeal and endeavor of Sanjna Kapoor whose contribution to the cause of good theatre in Mumbai deserves superlative accolades. It is really very sad that puppetry as an art form is steadily losing popularity after the incursion of television. Only festivals such as these can prevent this art form from complete oblivion. And it is for this that her efforts should be appreciated. And if you too can manage to find some time to visit the shows, you are sure to be absolutely stunned by all that is there in store.

The Prithvi Theatre in North Mumbai and the Experimental Theatre in the National Centre for Performing Arts in the south of the city serve as the venues of this Puppet Theatre Festival. The festival continues for 5 days and every day shows are held generally from 6.30 in the evening. It is best to check the timings with the organizers before purchasing the tickets because timings are liable to change. Tickets at very nominal rates are available. Apart from Indians, British, French and German countries also participate in this festival. The British Council, the Alliance Franchise and the Max Mueller Bhavan help out these countries respectively with the sponsorships. Their acts are also very appreciable and enthralling. Each year the festival has a new theme and the acts are based on those themes.

Most of the shows that are held here are meant for entertaining children. Small kids thoroughly enjoy the acts but this does not mean that there is nothing for the elders. In fact there are some shows which cater exclusively to a mature audience. The adults have a pleasurable time watching them. So if you are in Mumbai at this particular time of the year do make it a point to find some time to watch at least one show of the Puppet Theatre Festival and we are convinced that you will not be able to resist seeing another. Many of the Fairs and Festivals in Maharashtra are celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm but the uniqueness of this festival lies in the fact that it attempts to create awareness about a dying art in a very beautiful way.

Time for Celebrating Festivals

The Puppet Theatre Festival is celebrated each year in the month of November.

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