HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, July 21: Over 60 community members, including women and students, gathered at the renowned Hargila (Greater Adjutant Stork) colony in Pachariya for a captivating two-day puppetry workshop. Hosted by Puppet for People, the women-led Hargila Army, Aaranyak, and WiNN (Women in Nature Network) India, the event carried the theme ‘Telling Our Stories Through Puppetry’. Collaborating with esteemed organisations such as Wilhelma Zoo, Women For Nature, Rewilding Academy, Rewild, Beauval Nature, Rotterdam Zoo, and Pachariya Kushal Konwar High School (PKKHS), the workshop aimed to promote the unique art form of puppetry and spread awareness about conservation efforts.
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Puppetry is deeply rooted in Assam’s culture, and the summer camp provided students and community women, particularly from the Hargila Army, an opportunity to engage in this age-old form of art. The Hargila Army, renowned for their efforts in protecting endangered Hargila colonies, serves as a shining example of conservation worldwide.
Thirty children mesmerised the audience with five captivating puppetry shows centered around diverse topics, including wildlife and nature conservation. In parallel, thirty women performed two remarkable puppetry shows highlighting the impact of single-use plastic on the planet’s ecosystem.
During the workshop, the participants developed scripts focusing on reducing waste, wildlife rescue, and empowering women, aiming to create awareness in remote areas about sustainable living. Dr Purnima Devi Barman, a senior conservationist at Aaranyak and UN Champion of the Earth, conceptualised the event and stressed the importance of spreading conservation awareness through such initiatives.
Drishana Kalita and Manash Pratim Neog, founders of Naat and Puppetry for People, guided the participants, imparting handcraft and puppetry skills, as well as scriptwriting for puppet shows.
The collaboration with renowned organisations like Wilhelma Zoo, Whitley Fund for Nature, Rewilding Academy, Rewild, Beauval Nature, and Rotterdam Zoo played a vital role in making the workshop a resounding success, as expressed by Dr Purnima.
The young participants crafted five narrative scripts, each carrying a life message, which received appreciation and support from Drishana Kalita and Mansha Neog, motivating them to continue the initiative. Environmental enthusiast and active Hargila Army member, Pratima Kalita Rajonshi, shared her experience, mentioning that her group focused on reducing plastic waste and its impact on daily life, particularly in the paddy fields.
Karishma Das, a dedicated member of Hargila Army for two years, expressed gratitude for the eye-opening experience and leadership-building opportunities provided by the workshop. She highlighted the determination of the youth to achieve significant impact through such initiatives.
Dr Barman expressed her eagerness to host more events in the future, leveraging the power of puppetry to inspire and educate, ultimately contributing to a sustainable and conscious world. The two-day workshop left a lasting impact on both the participants and the audience, fostering a strong commitment to conservation efforts in the Hargila Colony and beyond.
