Links Hall & Chicago Puppet Fest present:
In the dangerous and magical land of Sunderbans – the vast forested delta area in West Bengal (Eastern India) and Bangladesh – great rivers combine and split before merging into the Bay of Bengal. Here, living is a fragile balance between land and water, forest and field, domestic and wild, calm and storm and, of course, people. The legend and philosophy of “Bonbibi” looms large in popular imagination, “You are all connected: the crocodile, the tiger, water, forest, land, all human beings…All!” Real-time sculpting meets traditional storytelling as shape shifting ‘maati’ (clay, mud, soil, earth, land) shines in the Land of 18 Tides.
Dates/Times:
Tuesday, January 21 at 6 pm
Wednesday, January 22 at 5 pm + 8 pm
Location: Links Hall, 3111 N. Western Ave.
Cost: $20/$15 students & seniors
Ages: 12 and up
Running Time: 65 mins
ADA Accessible? Yes
Based in New Delhi and Mumbai, Tram Arts Trust pioneers Object Theatre in India, using everyday objects to create evocative narratives. Their performances blend traditional storytelling with innovative uses of found objects, offering a poetic exploration of heritage and identity. At this year’s festival, Maati Katha brings Indian culture to life through this unique form of puppet theater.
Since 1978, Links Hall has been a cornerstone of Chicago’s experimental arts scene, promoting bold, interdisciplinary work that challenges artistic boundaries. Known for supporting both emerging and established artists, Links Hall provides a collaborative space where artists and audiences can experience the full range of creative expression. As part of the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, Links will host performances that push the limits of puppetry, inviting festival-goers to engage with notable productions in an intimate and inspiring environment. Come join this special community and celebrate the arts with us!
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The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival advances the art of puppetry by presenting sophisticated programs vital to the cultural life of Chicago. Engaging and inspiring the largest and most diverse audiences for puppetry possible, the Festival is the biggest event dedicated to puppetry in North America and traditionally offers more than 100 activities annually including performances, workshops, artist instensives, free neighborhood events and symposia to audiences up to 14,000 over 11 days each January. The organization is also home to other key initiatives, including the Chicago Puppet Studio and Chicago Puppet Lab, that nurture the development of puppeteers and deepen the field locally, nationally and internationally with the ultimate goal of promoting peace, equality, mutual understanding, and justice locally and globally.
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