Katkatha Puppet Arts Trust

In 2006, supported by WISCOMP, Katkatha Puppet Arts Trust conducted the Kashmir Project in the village of Beejbehara, near Srinagar. Twenty-five young women, aged 18-25, collaborated with the Katkatha team, using masks and puppets under the guidance of writer B. Gauri, for seven months. Together, they delved into personal narratives of growing up and living in Kashmir amidst conflict, drawing inspiration from the poetry of Sufi poetess Lal Ded, whose shrine resides in Beejbehara. The project concluded with a performance titled "Kashmir Project," scripted by B. Gauri and premiered in 2007.

Katkatha Puppet Arts Trust has been actively engaged in various school projects aimed at integrating puppetry into educational settings. From annual productions at Cambridge Primary School involving 128 children each year between 2008 and 2017 to a week-long puppet workshop with 240 children at Neerja Modi School in 2008, and a Tibetan teachers and children workshop in Dharamshala in 2009, it has provided immersive experiences. Notable collaborations include a two-month project with Ryan International School for the International Children Theatre Festival in 2011, and the Teachers' Symposium in 2013, focusing on puppet use in classrooms. Additionally, partnerships with Vasant Valley and Shiv Nadar schools for the War I Centenary Puppetry and History Project, spanning 15 countries, showcased children's creations internationally, emphasizing historical research and puppet theatre skills.