An international puppet theatre festival brings together puppeteers from six countries, reaffirming puppetry as a living art form
New Delhi will host a vibrant interaction of global storytelling traditions as the 22nd Ishara International Puppet Theatre Festival returns from February 13-22, at the India Habitat Centre.
In a press statement, the organisers say that this international puppet theatre festival brings together puppeteers from six countries, reaffirming puppetry’s place as a living, evolving art form, paving way for a multicultural interaction and exchange.
Dadi D Pudumjee
“Twenty-two years of celebrating puppets, music and passion at the very same venue. The stage is set once again for a magical journey across cultures, where strings, hands, shadows and imagination unite to create unforgettable memories, and the Department of Posts will unveil a special series of commemorative postage stamps on the puppets of India,” says Dadi D Pudumjee, Festival Director and Founder, Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust.
Stories from the global stage
The festival opens on February 13 with Doong Doong Alert by Korea’s Culture Art Bakery FFWANG. Directed by Hwang Seokyong, it is an interactive production that blends traditional Korean storytelling with child psychology, addressing childhood anxiety through objects and shadow puppetry. Italy features prominently this year, reflecting the long-standing association between the festival and the Italian Cultural Centre. Italian company Di Filippo Marionette presents Variations on February 14, where a string puppet named Proto is ‘born’ on stage, and discovers the world through music and movement.
Doong Doong Alert-Korea
Also Read: 13th International Theatre Festival of Kerala begins at Thrissur
From the Balkans, the Tirana Puppet Theatre brings Albanian Wedding, a vibrant musical performance intertwining the tale of Red Riding Hood with the legendary royal wedding of Princess Donica. Bhutan’s Snow Leopard Theatre presents Sangay Siddhartha, a poetic retelling of the Jataka Tales that blends tradition with technology and storytelling, while Uçaneller Kuklaevi (Flying Hands Puppet Theatre) from Türkiye stages The Rock, a playful, non-verbal performance delivering life lessons through humour and visual storytelling.
Contemporary concerns by Indian voices
Indian puppetry remains at the heart of the festival. Am I Lost? by Puppetshala Performing Arts follows the journey of Safar, a young boy navigating hardship and hope in the city, while Puppet Theatre Chandigarh (PNA) performs The Rainbow Fish, a magical underwater story. Anurupa Roy directs Dreamloom, a material-theatre performance that transforms discarded objects into striking socio-political imagery. Jack and the Beanstalk musical, an Indian adaptation of the classic fairy tale, would celebrate imagination and storytelling across generations. The festival concludes with Amrita Sher-Gil: A Life Lived, designed and directed by Festival Director Pudumjee, which would offer a tribute to one of India’s most visionary artists through puppetry and music.
Am I Lost- Delhi
Also Read: Final speaker list for Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 announced
Landmark moment for Indian puppetry
According to the statement, adding to the significance of this edition, the Department of Posts will release Commemorative Postage Stamps on Puppets of India on February 13, marking a landmark moment for the Ishara Festival and puppeteers across India.
Sanjoy K Roy
“Twenty-two years is not just a milestone, but a testament to Ishara’s enduring vision. What began as a focussed celebration of puppetry has grown into a dynamic, international platform that continually reimagines the form while remaining rooted in its traditions. Over the years, Ishara has supported and inspired generations of artists fostering dialogue, innovation, and cultural exchange. The festival’s journey reflects its commitment to keeping puppetry alive, relevant, and resonant for audiences today and tomorrow,” says Sanjoy K Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, and Producer of the Festival.
This edition of India’s longest-running international puppet theatre festival brings together leading puppeteers from countries, including Italy, Korea, Bhutan, Türkiye, Albania, and India to present diverse global puppetry traditions on one stage