Puppet theatre promoting dying art

PNCA and NPT promote dying art of puppetry to educate children about social problems including health and education

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), National Puppet Theatre (NPT) is promoting the dying art of puppetry to educate children regarding social problems including health and education.  Besides entertainment, these puppet shows make a conscious effort to explain socio-cultural issues and nurture a sense of responsibility among children to combat such evils. With the movement of puppets, the shows depict folk tales and skits to entertain and educate children. The themes incorporated in the show address social problems such as health, education, environment etc. It was a great initiative by PNCA to revive the most popular folk art, which was on the brink of dying out because of negligence, said artist Azeem Iqbal. The puppet show is a regular feature of the council presented by NPT. It also organises shows every year in other cities to highlight important national and international events like Earthquake Victims Day, Kashmir Solidarity Day, Pakistan Day Celebrations, Independence Day Celebrations, World Tourism Day, and Universal Children Day and Quaid-e-Azam Day Celebrations.  

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2018.