About

Ishara Puppet Trust

The Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust is a pioneering platform for innovative puppet theatre and cross-cultural performances in India. It was established in 1986 by the well-known puppeteer and artist Dadi D. Pudumjee. The Trust aims to promote the cultural richness of puppetry through performance, workshops, and education.

Ishara has been a pioneer in the fields of puppetry, including its innovative use of form, material, and content. Its productions include both traditional and contemporary forms of puppetry, as well as collaborations with visual arts, animation, music, and multimedia.

Over the years, Ishara has become a globally renowned organization for its excellence in puppetry. Through their storytelling and performances, Ishara continues to inspire and educate new generations of puppeteers, artists, and audiences across the world.

Ishara Puppet Theatre Image 1 Ishara Puppet Theatre Image 2
Dadi Pudumjee Image

About Dadi

Dadi D. Pudumjee, the Managing Trustee and Artistic Director of The Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust, is one of India’s leading puppeteers. He has made immense contributions to the art of puppetry in India and across the world. Over the past three decades, his pioneering work has elevated the status of puppetry in Indian theatre.

Dadi has also contributed to various international puppetry associations and has been recognized globally for his work in developing new forms of puppetry that combine tradition with modern storytelling techniques.

His work through the Ishara Puppet Theatre continues to inspire future generations of puppeteers and remains a testament to the transformative power of puppetry in bringing stories to life.

About

Ishara International Puppet

Theatre Festival

The Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust is a pioneering platform for innovative puppet theatre and cross-cultural performances in India. It was established in 1986 by the well-known puppeteer and artist Dadi D. Pudumjee. The Trust aims to promote the cultural richness of puppetry through performance, workshops, and education.

Ishara has been a pioneer in the fields of puppetry, including its innovative use of form, material, and content. Its productions include both traditional and contemporary forms of puppetry, as well as collaborations with visual arts, animation, music, and multimedia.

Over the years, Ishara has become a globally renowned organization for its excellence in puppetry. Through their storytelling and performances, Ishara continues to inspire and educate new generations of puppeteers, artists, and audiences across the world.

Ishara Puppet Theatre Image 1 Ishara Puppet Theatre Image 2

Trustees

Sanjay Roy

Sanjay Roy

Sanjoy Roy, a distinguished trustee of the Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust, Is a multifaceted leader in the arts and media industry. Hi established Teamwork Films in 1989, , a production house renowner for its versatility and theatre, social action, rojets. and the award-winning documentar *Shahjahanabad The Twilight Years, 1850 -1947 » His contributions to live notable, having sordud high-profile show Khajuraho Millennium Year celebrations and the Millennium Eve celebrations for China. As the promoter of Friends of Music anc founder STeamwork HuN Arts Society, san instrumental in nurturing young talent - and fostering cross-cultura exchanges. His commitment to social causes is evident throug hi. a9 a fruster the Salaam -Baalak . Trust anc Th6 Kari Research Centre, as well as President of Light Bearers. Sanjoy's dvnamic leadershin and dedication to the arts and social weltar make him an invaluable asset to the Ishara Puppet L'heatre Irust

Sunil Dogra

Sunil Dogra

Sunil Dogra, a trustee of the Ishara Puppet lheatre rust, 1S : distinguished advocate at the Supreme Court of India with a multifaceted background in economics, law, and public service. He holds a BA (Honors) and MA in Economics from St. Stephen's College. Delhi University, and a law degree from Delhi University Additionally, he has a certifcate in International banking from New York University, reflecting his diverse expertise. Sunil has extensive career in banking in both the USA and India and has cc authored a manual on child labour. His legal practice encompasses CIVil corporate, and constitutional matters at the Supreme Court - Bevond his legal and economic pursuts. Sumlhas contributed to public broadcasting with Al India Radio and has been activel involved in theatre productions with the Yatrik Theatre Group anc the Delhi School of Hconomics. His broad spectrum of experience and dedication to and social issues enriches the Isnara PudDet Lheatre Irust's mission

Dadi D. Pudumjee

Dadi D. Pudumjee

Dadi D. Pudumjee, the Managing Trustee and Artistic Director of the Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust, is a trailblazer in the realm of modern puppetry in India. Dadi Pudumjee entered the field as a young enthusiast in 1958. Today he is well known and established as a pioneer of modern puppetry in India. He was the President of UNIMA International from 2008 to April of 202I. He was also Director and Project Head of the UNESCO EU Project on HIV/ AIDS and Substance Abuse with SBT Delhi.Pudumjee's journey into puppetry began as a hobby in his hometown of Pune, India. He pursued formal education in Visual Communication at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, and Darpana Academy of Performing Arts where he was mentored by Meher Contractor. His passion for puppetry was further nurtured at the Marionette Theatre Institute in Stockholm under Michael Meschke, and through workshops by Bunraku master Sennosuke Yoshida in Japan.

Coomi Kapoor

Coomi Kapoor

Coomi Kapoor, a trustee of the Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust, is a renowned journalist with a prolific career spanning several decades. She currently serves as the Resident Editor of the Indian Express in Delhi, a position she has held since 1994. Coomi's extensive professional experience includes roles such as a stringer for The Times in London, a weekly columnist for The Star in Malaysia, and a syndicated columnist from 199I to 1994. She has also held prominent editorial positions at the Illustrated Weekly, Indian Post, Sunday Mail, and India Today, and was the Chief Reporter/Special Correspondent at the Indian Express from 1972 to 1982. Coomi began her journalism career at Motherland in 1971. Her academic credentials include an M.Sc. in Tournalism from Boston University and a B.Sc. from the Royal Institute of Science, Bombay University. With her rich background in journalism and her dedication to storytelling, Coomi brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust.