Filmed and saved

It was a dream find for a social scientist researching tribal art and culture for the last 15 years. Recently, while working in West Bengal, Ravikent Dwlvedi chanced upon a uniciae form of tribal art. Some members of the Santhal tribe have mastered the art of making puppets, and that to mechanical onesl Says, Dwivedi, "I have not come across any reference in Indian anthropology of wooden puppets that follow mechanical principles.0 Unfortunately, this art Is on the verge of extinction. Dwivedl is trying to capture this on film, aiming to give this art the much needed Impetus. These puppet shows, accompanied by folklares pertaining to tribal philosophy and satires, are performed only an 4-S days in the autumn every year.