The 22nd edition of the Ishara International Puppet Theatre Festival is set to return to the capital from February 13 to 22, 2026, at the India Habitat Centre, bringing together leading puppeteers from six countries—Italy, Korea, Bhutan, Turkey, Albania, and India. Recognised as India’s longest-running international puppet theatre festival, Ishara continues its legacy of celebrating global storytelling traditions through puppetry.
Founded by acclaimed puppeteer Dadi D. Pudumjee, the festival is produced by Teamwork Arts and supported by the Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust. Over the years, the festival has evolved into a significant cultural platform that blends age-old puppetry forms with contemporary theatrical practices, while fostering cross-cultural dialogue.
This year’s edition will showcase a diverse repertoire of performances curated for different age groups, ranging from interactive children’s productions to socially and politically resonant material theatre. Italy will feature prominently in the programme, reflecting the longstanding association and support of the Italian Cultural Centre to the festival.
Speaking on the occasion, Dadi D. Pudumjee, Festival Director and Founder, Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust, said, “22 years of celebrating puppets, music and passion at the very same venue. The stage is set once again for a magical journey across cultures, where strings, hands, shadows and imagination unite to create unforgettable memories, and the Department of Posts will unveil a special series of commemorative postage stamps on the puppets of India!”
A major highlight of the festival will be the release of commemorative postage stamps on “Puppets of India” by the Department of Posts on February 13, 2026, marking a landmark moment for the Ishara Festival and the puppetry community across the country.
Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts and Producer of the Festival, said, “Twenty-two years is not just a milestone, but a testament to Ishara’s enduring vision. What began as a focused celebration of puppetry has grown into a dynamic, international platform that continually reimagines the form while remaining rooted in its traditions. Over the years, Ishara has supported and inspired generations of artists fostering dialogue, innovation, and cultural exchange. The festival’s journey reflects its commitment to keeping puppetry alive, relevant, and resonant for audiences today and tomorrow.”
The festival will open with Doong Doong Alert by Culture Art Bakery FFWANG from Korea, an interactive production blending traditional folklore with child psychology. Other international highlights include Variations by Italy’s Di Filippo Marionette, Albanian Wedding by the historic Tirana Puppet Theatre, Sangay Siddhartha by Bhutan’s Snow Leopard Theatre, and The Rock by Turkey’s Uçaneller Kuklaevi (Flying Hands Puppet Theatre).
Indian productions form a strong core of the programme, with notable performances such as Dreamloom, directed by Anurupa Roy, which transforms discarded materials into powerful social and political imagery, and Amrita Sher-Gil: A Life Lived, designed and directed by Dadi D. Pudumjee, paying tribute to one of India’s most iconic artists. Other Indian productions include Am I Lost?, The Rainbow Fish, and an Indian adaptation of Jack and the Beanstalk.
Tickets for the festival are available on BookMyShow, and detailed schedules can be accessed on the official Ishara Puppet Theatre website.
With its blend of tradition, innovation, and international collaboration, the 22nd Ishara International Puppet Theatre Festival promises an immersive artistic journey for audiences of all ages.
