This artist from Tiruppur uses a puppet to tell an inclusive story

Poongodi Mathiarasu | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

It is the offering of Liberty Puppet that attracts Pongodi Mathiyasu as art. The 25 -year -old, who is from Tiruppur, can be a puppet. ” Art is not limited to physical movement. “Anyone, who are different, including, can try it,” they say, “it can be used to tell people throughout the ages. ,

Mathiyarsu is trained in eight forms of puppet, and is ready to train parents and teachers at an upcoming workshop in the city.

Mathiarasu interaction with children | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

He has traveled across the country in search of unique forms of puppet. He learned an Indian version of Japanese Banaraku at a workshop in Delhi, shadow puppets in Karnataka and gloves puppets in West Bengal. They are also trained in finger and huge puppets. The latter includes puppets up to eight feet run by a team. “Parents can use puppets to have better conversations with their children; It can also help the elderly recover from loneliness, ”they say.

Mathiarasu wants to include folk art in the puppet, and makes some experimental efforts. He has a strong background in the theater, performing his postgraduate days at Loyola College, Chennai since his postgraduate days. His effort with Tamil folk arts began in the Department of Arts and Literature in the college. Along with his team, he also placed street plays to create awareness on socially relevant issues. He said, “Whenever we had time, we visit other colleges, to train those interested in theater.”

Mathiarasu (from right to second) wants to include folk art in puppet photo credit: Special arrangement

He has also tried his hand in directing plays. Says Mathiyasu, “I am interested in community-based theater, and have directed five plays written by transgender and quir community, which we have staged for many college students in Tamil Nadu.” According to him, people of the LGBTQ community were to translate on stage along with the living experiences of ideas, transports.

But his heart lies in puppet and many of its nuances. They feel that it will benefit children in the autism spectrum, due to its medical effects. “Indian education system does not provide a strong educational aid system to children in the spectrum,” they say. “These children also have little risk for art, and I want to take puppets for them.” They have worked with organizations such as the Spastic Society of Tamil Nadu, using puppets to connect with special children.

In Coimbatore, Mathiyarsu is working with Nizal – true self. He has done several children’s workshops for the organization, which, in addition to hosting art and craft workshops, support learning, autism and children with ADHD.

The two -day puppet and theater workshops are in Aruk Enclave, RS Puram from 10 am to 3 pm on 22 February and 23 February. For details, go to nizhalatetrueself.com