At Thamarai, we have puppet-making and puppeting activities with our volunteer Mireille on weekends. With technology taking over, we wanted to bring puppetry back and show young people how it’s done by making and using our own puppets. This activity helped students build confidence, foster a love for theater, and improve their English since the class was taught in English. The students were excited to see their creations come to life through puppetry.
Our friend Deanna invited us to watch a Korean puppet show at CRIPA. When we told the students about the non-verbal show, they were thrilled. On Friday, July 12, despite the rain, we remained hopeful, and the weather cleared just for us. We boarded the bus and headed to CRIPA in Kalabhumi, Auroville.
When we arrived, we were warmly welcomed despite the rain. We had to wait a bit due to some power issues, but we stayed excited and patient. Once the power was back, we were shown to our seats, and the performance began. The show was entirely non-verbal and featured beautiful live piano and vocal music. It was a memorable experience. The handmade Korean puppets elegantly displayed traditional life from the past. The show, meant for families and kids, sparked many questions from the students afterward.
“A Tree and a Boy” was a 50-minute performance that told the story of a person’s life from birth to death and reincarnation. The puppet artists were amazing, perfectly syncing with the music and smoothly changing scenes. The show was both beautiful and funny, highlighting Korean culture through various seasons. The vocal performances were exceptional, keeping us fully engaged.
The story began with a boy’s mother planting a tree while she was pregnant. As the boy and the tree grew, they formed a deep bond. The narrative included traditional Korean customs, such as the boy’s marriage, aging, death, and the sadness of the tree being cut down. The depiction of Korean funeral rites had similarities to Tamil culture. In the end, the cut-down tree sprouted a new leaf, symbolizing the boy’s reincarnation.
The performance beautifully illustrated the cycle of life and Korean traditions, leaving us with cherished memories and a touch of emotional depth. Meeting the people behind the show was a delight—they showed the children the puppets and were incredibly kind and talented.
Conclusion:
Watching “A Tree and a Boy” at CRIPA was a fantastic experience. The show demonstrated the magic of puppetry and the richness of Korean culture. Despite the less-than-ideal weather, the performance captured our attention with its engaging story, detailed puppets, and moving music. It reminded us of how traditional arts can connect people across different cultures and times. We left feeling thankful and impressed by the art of puppetry.
