World Cultural Festival: Italy’s puppeteer mesmerizes Karachi with Silent Puppet Drama

Celina Ali

Islamabad: This week Italian puppeteer Nina delivered a captivating performance at the Arts Council of Pakistan in Karachi during the World Cultural Festival.

Her show, titled “I Put My Heart Into It,” was unique in that it featured no spoken words, relying entirely on the expressive gestures of her puppets and an evocative musical score to weave a beautiful narrative.

This was Nina’s debut in Pakistan, where she was joined by French theatre artist Alien Voyagers, who entertained the crowd with a dynamic street performance.

Nina shared insights into Italy’s rich tradition of puppetry. She discussed Pulcinella, a witty and satirical hand puppet deeply embedded in Neapolitan culture, often used to comment on social and political issues. She also touched upon Opera dei Pupi, a Sicilian marionette theatre known for its grand portrayals of medieval knights and heroic tales. These elaborately crafted puppets, donned in intricate costumes, have earned Opera dei Pupi recognition as a UNESCO cultural heritage.

Nina’s performance in Karachi stood out not only because it was a silent drama but also due to her unique approach. She has developed her own original puppetry style, distinct from traditional Italian forms. Her show, which featured two birds and a puppet named Nina, unfolded entirely without dialogue, letting the expressiveness of the puppets and the accompanying music tell the story. Nina traveled all the way from Italy with her show props, including a suitcase full of puppets, music, and even the table used in the performance.

Nina expressed her admiration for Pakistan’s hospitality, sharing that she had always heard of the warm nature of Pakistanis but was now experiencing it firsthand. She also enjoyed local cuisine, particularly chicken biryani and chai, and praised Karachi’s vibrant culture.

The World Cultural Festival at the Karachi Arts Council, which features performances by artists from 40 different countries, continues until November 2, blending traditional and contemporary artistic expressions from around the world.