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Meena Naik, world-renowned puppeteer and children’s theatre director along with the University of Mumbai has declared the India’s first-ever formal certificate course in puppetry. It’s all due to her persistent efforts. It is a four months course conducted once in a year starts this year from Aug 1, 2016 to November 2016.The course is conceptualized such that theoretical knowledge accounts for 100 marks whereas practical knowledge accounts for 400 marks.

The history of puppetry, traditional and modern puppets, puppetry as a medium of communication along with practical knowledge about voice modulation, staging techniques and scripting based on stories and issues are the subjects covered. The course will be conducted every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and occasionally on Sundays at Kalanagar, Bandra (E). Students (SSC or equivalent examination) should preferably register before July 25, 2016.

Medium of instruction of the puppetry course will be English, Marathi and Hindi. Naik, the Head of Puppetry Department at University of Mumbai has roped in experts from the field who can train the students proficiently. The faculty consists of renowned voice-over artist Ajit Bhure for voice modulation, Arun Naik for communication skills, Dr. Prakash Khandge for folk art. Naik has also invited traditional puppeteers like a Rajasthani puppeteer as guest faculty.

While students may use the art form for entertainment purposes or as a medium in ad film production, its versatility ranges across areas like language teaching, primary education, environment conservation, awareness about sexual abuse, child rights, adoption, AIDS and more. Puppetry course not only teaches the students how to make puppets but it helps them in writing a good script, visualizing the show and manipulating the puppets.