Gandhiya village in Nalbari district, Assam, is emerging as an important centre for preserving the state’s traditional puppet dance, an old folk performing art facing declining popularity.

Key Facts

• Artistes use strings and bamboo sticks to animate puppets behind a screen, presenting folktales, religious stories, songs and traditional verses.
• Once popular in rural and urban communities, the art form now faces declining popularity amid modern influences.
• The preservation movement, spearheaded by local artists and cultural groups have emerged in recent times to protect the art form from fading away.

Steps Taken for its Preservation

• The Gandhiya village in Pachim Nalbari, whose puppetry legacy dates back to several decades has emerged as a centre of efforts to preserve this fading tradition. 
  • A group led by artiste Haricharan Deka of Pachim Dekapara Chuburi performed across Assam before its activities ceased in the 1970s.
• In 2004 by engineer Ajay Kumar Sarma, his brother Vijay Sarma along with local residents established Nataraj Puppet Theatre at Ozapara Chuburi.  
  • It received assistance from the Sangeet Natak Akademi and its artists benefited from Assam’s Artist Welfare Scheme. 
  • The group also received a Ministry of Culture fellowship for 2025–26.
• Basudev Puppet Dance, established in 2008 by Pranab Sarma, stages religious performances such as Krishna Janmashtami and Bipra Damodar. 
• Ma Manasa Puppet Theatre, founded in 2018 under Hardhan Chakraborty and Dhiren Sarma, combines traditional techniques with modern themes.
  • Its productions include Ma Manasa, Durga Puja Nirmali and Sapon Eti Beya Sapon.
• Puppet dance is also practised in Makhibaha, Chandkuchi and Mohkhali in Nalbari district.

Government Support 

• The Ministry of Culture’s Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and its Guru-Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant) provide relevant institutional support for preserving traditional performing arts and training new artists. 
• The Asam Sahitya Sabha has supported the art through workshops and felicitations.
• Assam’s Directorate of Cultural Affairs also facilitates financial assistance to cultural organisations and individual artistes.

Way Forward

• Despite these efforts, sustained government assistance remains essential for the art form to continue flourishing.
• Funding, pensions for elderly performers, school-level workshops and opportunities for young learners can help ensure the art form survives.

Exam Hook – Key Takeaway: Gandhiya illustrates how community participation and institutional support can safeguard intangible cultural heritage, strengthen local identity and preserve traditional knowledge.