Powerful Staging of the Puppet Play ‘Kalibai’

Udaipur. Under the joint auspices of the District Administration Udaipur, the Tribal Area Development Department, and the Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal, a compelling staging of the puppet play Kalibai was organised as part of the Tribal Pride Year celebrations marking the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

Director of Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal, Dr. Laeeq Hussain, informed that the puppet play was presented at the Govind Puppet Theatre of the institution exclusively for school students. Around 250 students from various local schools attended the show. The programme began with the director and distinguished guests offering floral tributes and lighting a lamp before the portrait of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

He shared that the puppet play is based on the inspiring life of Kalibai, who awakened the spirit of education in Rajasthan. The play is rooted in the 1947 incident that took place in Rastapal village of Dungarpur, portraying the story of 13-year-old Kalibai of the Vagad region. She sacrificed her life to protect her teacher, Senga Bhai, and to keep the flame of education alive.

In the play, Nanabhai Khant convinces Kalibai’s mother to send her to school. Though reluctant at first, her mother agrees after understanding the importance of education. Scenes depict Nanabhai and teacher Senga Bhai teaching children in the school, the village landlord threatening them to shut the school, and later British police officials ordering them to close it. Despite the threats, both refuse to comply. The police beat Nanabhai and Senga Bhai and attempt to drag Senga Bhai behind their jeep with a rope. The brave young girl Kalibai resists this, cutting the rope tied to Senga Bhai. In retaliation, the police shoot her.

The incident enrages the tribal community, who begin beating their traditional wari dhol. Hundreds of villagers gather, forcing the police to flee. These powerful scenes were effectively depicted through the puppet play.