HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Feb 8: Surojit Academy, located on the premises of Assam Engineering College, Guwahati, has been actively promoting the folk art of Assam among children and youth through seminars, workshops, and conferences conducted in schools, colleges, and universities. Continuing this tradition, the Academy is organising a three-day national level seminar and conference on ‘Glory of Puppet and its Social Importance’ on February 16, 17 and 19 at 10:30 am at the auditorium of West Guwahati College of Education.
The program will be inaugurated by renowned actor, director, and playwright Prabhat Goswami, with Dr Gitanjali Chowdhury, principal of WGCE, as the chief guest. Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Sudeep Gupta will present a paper on ‘History and Origin of Puppets’. Following this, at 1 pm, Vasudeva Putola Nach from Nalbari will present ‘Sri Krishna Janmashtami’.
On the second day, February 17 at 10:30 am, there will be a presentation on ‘Contemporary Puppet of India’ by Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Sudeep Gupta. Binita Devi, a resource person of puppetry, will present a paper on ‘The Role of Puppetry in Education’. At 1 pm, Surojit Academy will perform the puppet play ‘Ravana Badha’ written by Simanta Sarma and directed by Binita Devi.
On the third day, February 19 at 10:30 am, renowned actor and director Dayal Krishna Nath will deliver a lecture on ‘Folk theatre of Assam and its social impact: With special reference to Puppetry’. Simanta Sarma, senior fellowship awardee from the Ministry of Culture, will then deliver a lecture on ‘Special Impact of Puppetry on Children’s Education’. At 1 pm, the puppet group ‘Ma Tripureshwari Putola Theatre’ from Tripura will perform Raja Harichandra directed by Suresh Das.
Students and research scholars are welcome to join the national seminar, which will be held on February 16 at 9:30 am at West Guwahati College of Education auditorium, Pandu Temple Ghat, Guwahati. For further details, interested individuals can contact Binita Devi, Surojit Academy, Assam Engineering College Campus, Amar Path, Jalukbari, Guwahati -13, Mobile 9435042348. There are no registration fees for participation.