State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid MP said, “Puppet shows and puppet dances are not just a means of entertainment, through which any important and instructive message can be easily conveyed to all sections of the society.”
“Everyone from small children to adults enjoy puppet shows. Puppet show is one of the art mediums of education with joy, above all, to develop children as good citizens with patriotic and moral values”, he added.
The state minister was speaking as the chief guest at a puppet show titled ‘Bijoyer 50-e Puppet’ organised by Dhaka Puppet Theater on the occasion of Mujib Centenary and Golden Jubilee of Independence at Nilima Ibrahim Auditorium of Bangladesh Women's Association at Bailey Road on Friday morning.
The state minister said, “We grew up watching puppet dances in our childhood which over time has moved beyond the villages to the cities. However, one of the most instructive art forms is slowly disappearing. He said the Ministry of Culture was working on the development and patronage of the puppet dance industry.”
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy organizes workshops and trainings on puppet dance every year. The state minister also said, “We have taken initiative to work at primary school level to spread puppet dance. Arrangements will be made to train the artists and craftsmen involved in this industry abroad if necessary to keep this popular art medium alive among the children.”
Dev Prasad Debnath, General Secretary of International Theater Institute (ITI) Bangladesh Kendra and Golam Sarwar, eminent playwright spoke on the occasion. Light designer of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Mohammad Jasim Uddin gave welcome speech on the occasion.