Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 893 Fri. December 01, 2006  
   
Culture


Puppet-theatre
'The Ugly Duckling' and 'The Nightingale' go on stage


Two puppet-theatre performances-- Kusree Hansher Chhana and Surer Pakhi, adaptations from Danish legendary writer Hans Christian Andersen's popular fairy tales The Ugly Duckling and The Nightingale -- were staged on November 29 at Goethe Institut.

The show was produced by Educational Puppet Development Centre (EPDC) Dhaka under the direction and adaptation of eminent artist Mustafa Monwar, who has been working with puppet-theatre for over 30 years.

Before the first show Kusree Hansher Chhana, the trademark puppet character Gittu, a popular puppet character introduced by Mostafa Monwar, appeared on stage. Amidst fun and laughter, Gittu introduced the children to the role of fairy tales in delivering universal truths with allegorical simple stories. Later, popular puppet characters-- Parul and Dadu-- made their appearance and subsequently the show began.

The story of Kusree Hansher Chhana developed with the emergence from the eggs of four beautiful yellow ducklings and an ugly ash coloured one. The simple story of the ducklings, was a satire on manmade divisions on racial and caste lines. To add to the interest, a human hunter performed with the puppets.

Experienced stagehands wonderfully created each and every gesture and movement of the ducks, cats, rats and human characters through puppets on stage.

Surer Pakhi also contain strong messages: the difference between natural learning and bookish learning, among other elements. Again Mostafa Monwar displayed his skills of creating drama on stage through puppets.

The Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh, Einar H. Jensen inaugurated the evening, accompanied by Torsten Oertel, director of the Goethe-Institut Dhaka. German Ambassador to Bangladesh Frank Meyke was special guest. The event was jointly organised by the Royal Danish Embassy and Goethe-Institut Dhaka as a cross-cultural experience for children and adults alike.

Picture
Andersen's magic captured through puppet shows. PHOTO: STAR