A still from ‘Life in a Puppet'
GUWAHATI: The state’s dying string puppetry tradition (putala nach) will get featured in an upcoming Assamese film, set to be released during Bohag Bihu, to give thrust to the industry.
Rajen Das, assistant professor of philosophy at NH College in Bajali district in Assam, has directed and produced the film titled, ‘Life in a Puppet’. The film, which has already been screened at various festivals, revolves round the life of the artists associated with the folk art form and their plight as there is very little demand for puppetry these days.
“There was a time when the socio-cultural life of the state was incomplete without puppet theatre. The artists now stare at an uncertain future. But they hope someday the art form will be revived,” he said and added that the idea was to put the art and the artists on the world stage.