Mysore/Mysuru: The Indian Institute of Educational Theatre (IIET), Mysuru, in collaboration with Astikya Foundation, has organised National Puppetry Festival – Mysore 2025 from Dec. 16 to 21 at Hardwicke School campus on JLB Road in city. The Festival aims to celebrate, revive and promote the diverse heritage of Indian puppetry through performances, workshops and scholarly engagement.

The Festival opens with the inauguration of the Puppet Workshop on Dec. 16 at 11 am, led by distinguished guests G.K. Jayaram, Author and Founder-Managing Director of ILID, Bengaluru and Shashidhar Adapa, acclaimed Production and Puppet Designer. Rameshwari Verma, renowned theatre exponent, will preside over the event.

The workshop will run till Dec. 20, ending with a valedictory session at 4 pm, graced by Monnanda Appaiah, Managing Director, Wienerberger India.

The inauguration of the National Puppetry Festival will take place on Dec. 19 at 6 pm, with K.M. Gayatri, Director, Department of Kannada and Culture, Bengaluru, as guest of honour. Indira Nair, Senior Theatre Director and Actor, will be the chief guest.

A major highlight of this year’s Festival is the strong national artistic collaboration. Leading puppetry and storytelling teams participating include: • Burdwan The Puppeteers, West Bengal; • Talking Turtles Storytellers, Hyderabad; • Rangaputhali Puppeteers, Bengaluru; • Sanchari Theatre, Bengaluru; • Gagan and Team, Bengaluru;   • Pyooppatree, Kerala.

Adding another dimension to the Festival, IIET has expanded its outreach through collaborations with various educational institutions across Mysuru. This initiative introduces children to the creative world of puppetry and includes active participation from: Hardwicke School, Arivu Vidya Samsthe (Lingambudhi Palya), Pramati Hillview Academy, Phoenix International Academy, Vidyavardhaka Sangha, Morarji Desai Residential School (Doddahundi), Vanitha Sadana, Hari Vidyalaya (Bogadi) and Bachpan Play School.

The Festival will conclude with the valedictory ceremony on Dec. 21 at 6 pm with R. Guru, Philanthropist & Industrialist, N. Ranga Rao & Sons, Mysuru, as the guest of honour.

For further details on the event, contact National Puppetry Festival – Mysore 2025 Co-ordinator H.R. Cheluvaraju on Mob: +91-98456-05012 or e-mail to indian [email protected]