The first show of the theatrical production ‘Kathputli —Dances and Puppets of Rajasthan’ was held on Friday at National Music and Dance Auditorium, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka.

The second show will be held at the same place Saturday at 6 pm. The event is jointly organised by Alliance Française de Dhaka and Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre.

Produced by Théâtre en Tête and directed by Zazie Hayoun, the performers at this production are Sikandar Khan, Ishwar Mathur, Sushila, Vijay Bhatt, and Puran Bhat.

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'Kathputli, Dances and Puppets of Rajasthan' combines these two art forms: dance and puppetry. Through the performance, the dancer, at the front of the stage, is the link to the audience.

In the first part, the story takes place in a small village in the north of India, at daybreak; many scenes of daily life are presented through picturesque characters: the betel merchant, the barber, the shoemaker, the ironer, the water carrier and the lovers.

The second part is a change of scenery, which comes directly from the Kathputli tradition: it is set in the palace of the emperor Akbar, who also used puppets for his own pleasure.

All the maharajas are invited to a performance during which several attractions are offered: a snake charmer, dancers who perform an elaborate choreography, a magician who juggles with his head, an elephant tamer and many other distractions that will brighten up the party of the greatest monarch of India.

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This show is the result of a meeting between a French director and Indian artists. It is a simple yet sophisticated entertainment, where dances and puppets create a poetic and colourful universe, which will enchant young and old alike.

Liaquat Ali Lucky, director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bakhshi Mohd. Tayab, commercial manager, Qatar Airways Bangladesh, Pranay Kumar Verma, Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh and Marie MASDUPUY, France ambassador to Bangladesh, attended the event, sponsored by Qatar Airways, as the special guests on Friday.

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