A Delightful Puppet Play for Kids: ‘Phoshong’ Presented by Guwahati Sishu Natya Vidyalaya
Rongili Barta- Guwahati Sishu Natya Vidyalaya (GSNV) is preparing to showcase a contemporary children’s puppet production titled ‘Phoshong’, which is derived from Madhurima Gharphalia’s Sahitya Akademi Award-winning collection of short stories, Phosong. The play will take place on the 18th and 19th of November, at the Sri Sri Madhavadeva International Auditorium, located within Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra. The stage adaptation, along with its planning and direction for ‘Phoshong’, is overseen by the multi-talented amateur theatre director Manik Roy, who is also the founder of the performing arts institution.
Currently, puppets are not as popular as they once were, and puppet shows are somewhat declining as an art form. Manik is striving diligently to preserve the culture and heritage associated with this vibrant visual art form through a production that is accessible and enjoyable for children and young adults, enabling them to comprehend its moral themes fully.
In the process of adaptation, Manik has diligently preserved the fundamental elements of the original narrative, extracting the feasible aspects and interpreting them through his chosen medium — his puppets. This particular art form serves a dual purpose; it not only retains the narrative’s core but is also harnessed to foster moral and social consciousness.
The puppet play ‘Phoshong’ is intentionally crafted to motivate younger audiences to value artistic expression and to recognize the magic inherent in storytelling.
‘Phoshong’ narrates the adventures of a playful cat named Phoshong, who resides in a rural household with a devoted dog, a gentle cow, an energetic goat, and various birds. While the inhabitants strive for a familial bond, Phoshong’s mischievous behaviour often disrupts their tranquility. His antics ultimately result in personal troubles, hindering his experiences of the outside world. Eventually, Phoshong discovers that fostering harmony in a communal living space necessitates mutual respect and friendship. This encapsulates the essence of the play ‘Phoshong’.