This two-day workshop in Mumbai will teach children how to use hand puppets

Satyajit Padhye with Chotu Singh

As a school boy, when his teacher asked him if he could perform for their annual function, Satyajit Padhye, son of acclaimed puppeteer Ramdas, made a Pink Panther puppet for his first-ever performance. Thirty years and over 2,500 puppets later, Padhye's name appears alongside his father's, as India's best puppeteers and ventriloquists. Come weekend, the India's Got Talent finalist will take children into the fantastical world of puppets in his studio in Chembur - where they will not only be allowed to play with them, but also learn how to operate them to deliver a gripping, entertainment-packed performance.

The workshop will introduce participants to a diverse range of puppetry

"I am a shy person. I realised that it becomes easier for me to put across a message through my puppets," Padhye reveals. This is the third generation of pursuing puppetry in his family, which began with his grandfather Yeshwant, a World War 1 soldier who returned to Mumbai to discover the art. "He ordered several books on ventriloquism from England, and went on to become a pioneer in the field from India," Padhye recalls. It was only natural for him to be inclined towards it since childhood, but as his father wanted him to complete his education first before choosing his career, Padhye became a chartered accountant. "And soon after that, I turned to ventriloquism and puppetry full time," he adds.

Padhye with Amitabh Bachchan

Padhye performed in famous reality shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati and Bigg Boss. He has represented India several times internationally, and was also invited to a meeting for the International Federation of Accountants, where he performed in front of 100 delegates from 100 countries. "The thing about puppetry is that it engages people across demographics - from an eight-year-old to an 80-year-old. For children, for instance, I will use my animal puppets, and for adults, I will use puppets like Chotu Singh. I also have to alter my script and humour according to the audience. So, I spend a lot of time writing before my shows,"
he reveals.

A moment from a previous workshop held at the Chembur studio

In the two-day workshop, Padhye will teach children about the various forms of puppetry like string, rod and shadow. He will also teach them ventriloquism, which he says cannot be mastered overnight, but with practice and the right guidance on how to begin, children can ace voice moderation in about two months. "Ventriloquism is a sophisticated form of puppetry. In other forms, puppeteers are usually hidden behind curtains, so they don't have to act. But as a ventriloquist, you and your puppet perform together. I believe ventriloquism is like body building. You need practice and consistency for both of these to get better every day," he shares.

Padhye's wife, Rujuta, will teach children how to make different puppets to support varied narratives. By the end of the session, each participant will perform with socks puppets they have made in class for three to five minutes. Ramdas and his wife Aparna will conclude the workshop by interacting and distributing certificates to the children. "I have used ventriloquism to talk about various social and political issues in the world. There's a difference when you hear about these issues from a puppet. No one gets offended, and the message is driven home through dark, yet light-hearted humour. I hope that in this workshop, children learn to express through the puppets matters they cannot talk about directly," Padhye signs off.

Age group 6 to 14 years
On June 8 and June 9; 9.30 am to 11.30 am
At Radhika Residency, A/310 and 302, Tilak Nagar, Chembur.
Call 9870156658
Log on to @satyajitpadhye