Kerala-based Robotics firm launches automation programme to preserve puppetry

 Thrissur, Feb 12 (PTI) A Kerala-based Robotics firm<br>has initiated a programme to preserve the 4,000-year-old dying<br>art form of puppetry, using technology and automation.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tholapavakoothu  the Shadow Puppetry of Kerala,<br>is played traditionally by 'Pulavar' accompanied with shadow<br>light, sound, and songs.<br>        Pulavar is the title given to a scholar and performer<br>who has extensive knowledge of Tholapavakoothu.<br>      The first live model of the automated process in<br>puppetry was showcased at the District Heritage Museum in<br>Palakkad on Thursday.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With zero compromise on the traditional art form, the<br>automation technology is designed to seamlessly mimic the<br>puppet movements, otherwise controlled by skilled hand<br>movements.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The soul of puppetry is the skilled hand movements<br>that control the puppets.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A typical performance usually has a group of 7 people<br>managing the puppets in cohesion to produce the narrative.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Commenting on this initiative, Rahul P Balachandran,<br>CEO, Inker Robotics, said "The application of automation in<br>trying to revive the art form from dying is one of the many<br>examples that when innovatively used, the benefits of<br>automation is transformational."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;   "In the middle of a pandemic, a dedicated team<br>of engineers at Inker Robotics have studied the delicate art<br>form along with the Pulavars and worked passionately to bring<br>to life this art form,"he said.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In modern times, educationists the world over have<br>realised the potential of puppetry as a medium for<br>communication and by bringing in such inclusion one can bring<br>back the age old way of interactive communication effectively<br>for children and thereby preserving the art form and making<br>learning more interesting, he said.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"With the successful implementation of this project,<br>we are confident that this will re-ignite the interest and<br>revive the 4,000-year-old art form that was part of folklore<br>and growing up years of millions of children in the country,"<br>he added.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Headquartered at Thrissur, INKER is a 4,500 sqft<br>Robotics Facility with 40+ industry professionals.PTI UD BN<br>ADMINISTRATOR   <br> BN<br>ADMINISTRATOR

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