Kaktarua Puppet Theatre announces two-day puppet festival at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy marking sixth anniversary. Photo : BSS

JAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY, Aug 23, 2026 (BSS) - Kaktarua Puppet Theatre is set to organise a two-day puppet theatre festival at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on August 27-28, marking its sixth anniversary and entry into its seventh year of journey.

The festival titled "Puppet Theatre Festival 2026" will be held at the Studio Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, with four invited puppet groups joining Kaktarua Puppet Theatre in presenting their performances.

The organisers disclosed the programme at a press conference held at the TSC of Jahangirnagar University today. Nusrat Jahan Shilpi, one of the organisers and a theatre practitioner, read out the written statement.

The festival will begin at 5pm on August 27 with an inaugural ceremony. Renowned puppet artist Professor Rashid Harun will inaugurate the festival.

Following the inauguration, Inventor's Puppet will stage "Interactive Puppet" and Kaktarua Puppet Theatre will present "Bonbhraman" at 6:30pm.

On the second day, August 28, Yug Puppet Theatre will stage "Interactive Puppet" and Kaktarua Puppet Theatre will present "LichuChor" at 11am.

At 5pm, Jalputul Puppets will stage "Chicken Khai Na" while Kaktarua Puppet Theatre will present "Nolok". Later at 7pm, Universal Puppet will stage "SobujDesher Bipod" and Kaktarua Puppet Theatre will present "Birpurush".

The three new puppet plays of Kaktarua Puppet Theatre - "LichuChor" written by Russell Islam, "Birpurush" written by Shovon Chakraborty and "Nolok" written by Sharan Ehsan - are inspired by three famous poems of the same names.

The organisers said "Bonbhraman", written by Sharan Ehsan, was previously staged by Kaktarua Puppet Theatre during the children's segment of Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026.

Kaktarua Puppet Theatre began its journey in 2019 through an initiative of students of Jahangirnagar University. Embracing the belief that education for children should be joyful, the theatre group is currently working on child-friendly education through puppet theatre at different levels across the country.

It is also engaged in public awareness programmes, adult education, puppet therapy for cancer patients, puppet therapy for autism and palliative care, school puppet theatre and traditional puppet theatre.

Kaktarua Puppet Theatre founder Asaduzzaman Ashik said puppet theatre can help enhance children's creativity while creating awareness about environmental protection and social issues.

"With proper environment and support, Kaktarua Puppet Theatre can play an important role in building the world of tomorrow," he said.

He added that the group wants to take children into a world of imagination so that diverse images can be created in their minds, stressing that puppet theatre is not only for children but can also serve as a healthy form of entertainment for people of all ages.

The organisers expressed hope that the festival would create an enjoyable and aesthetic experience for children, adolescents and theatre lovers of all ages.