Lecture and Demonstration on 'Putul Nach'
On 5th May 2025, the undergraduate and postgraduate students of the Department of English, Loreto College, experienced a memorable lecture and demonstration on putul nach, conducted by Dr. Sudip Gupta and Dr. Sriparna Gupta of the Dolls Theatre, Kolkata. The Dolls Theatre was established in the 1990s by Dr. Gupta and has, over the decades, metamorphosed into the van guard of the indigenous folk tradition of puppetry apart from playing an instrumental role in preserving it and raising awareness among the populace about its richness. Both Dr. Sudip Gupta and Dr. Sriparna Gupta are Sangeet Natak Academy award winners and have brought putul nach to worldwide fame by performing in international festivals of repute.
The lecture commenced with an in-depth description of the various forms of puppetry such as glove puppetry, string puppetry, rod puppetry and shadow puppetry. The explication of each form was followed by a demonstration of the same by the puppets brought by Dr. Gupta. The students got an insight into the different forms of puppetry prevalent all over India and how certain types have become more vibrant and versatile due to the regional variations. Dr. Gupta also screened short performances of putul nach which have been scripted and directed by the Dolls Theatre. They depict a blend of the fantastical and the real and employ the allegorical mode to comment on the current social scenario. They also showcase the multifaceted experiments that are carried out in the performance. The floor was then opened for questions and the resource persons addressed the
queries of the students with critical introspection.
The highlight of the session was when the students were encouraged to closely examine the puppets and even 'try their hands' at puppetry. The students attempted to manipulate the glove puppets, rod puppets and string puppets. This was a fascinating experience for all and undoubtedly instilled a new-found interest in puppetry in the students. Finally, the intensely enriching session terminated with Dr. Sriparna Gupta emphasising on the need to preserve the tradition of putul nach which has unfortunately witnessed a dwindling popularity following the Pandemic. Putul nach is an integral aspect of the culture of Bengal and there exists an urgency in resurrecting this endangered folk form.
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