When stories come alive…

Mumbai-based Vanessa Essaki, who hails from Margao, conducted unique storytelling sessions with puppets at recent Goa Book Fair and Children’s Literature Festival at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. She shares more with NT KURIOCITY

SMRITI KOTHARE MARDOLKAR

What made you come here with your puppets?

The prestigious event was happening in my very own hometown, and I definitely wanted to contribute to the cause. It was fuelled by my desire to spread the pure joy of reading and puppet play through fantastic stories written by my mentor, Geeta Ramanujam from her two recently launched books – ‘How and Why of Tales’ and ‘Tales from the World’. When a story relates to a child, stirs their curiosity, and resonates with their innate emotions, an instant connection to the character is built. They are more likely to grab a copy of the book and joyfully take to reading it. This was also a fantastic platform to introduce children to explore and appreciate our rich Goan folktales. My version of the Goan folktale ‘Attulem and Bhitullem’ ignites a fresh perspective the fun way. It allows space for living in harmony, friendship, empathy, and universal acceptance.

 

How did you feel to be at this festival?

It was an absolute delight to be at the festival. Goa is a second home to me. Leonard and Queenie did their utmost to provide logistical support. The cherry on the cake was the mixed audience of children, teachers, coordinators, parents, and my school and college buddies, who all had an immersive experience. In their own words, I took them back to their childhood.

 

Why did you choose only these two topics for your sessions?

The objective of any task is clarity, focus, and direction. This is just the beginning. The opportunity to be given two weekend slots by festival director, Leonard, was a sheer blessing! My sincere attempt was to utilise the limited time to the best of my ability. The audience—children and adults—got a flavour of how puppets can be used as a powerful medium to communicate a message in the most engaging and fun way. The well-thought-out activity of making a simple popsicle puppet saw parents explore their own creative side while bonding with their children. The feedback was overwhelming!

 

What initially drew you to storytelling with puppets?

As a mother of a toddler, witnessing my little boy’s love stories come to life with puppets sparked a thought about how wonderful it would be to share this unique experience with his classmates! That was a decade ago! The passion eventually drew me to quit my corporate job and pursue my love for storytelling through puppets professionally under my banner, FaithMark Puppetry; inspired by my children’s names!

 

Do you write your stories specifically for puppets, or adapt existing tales?

‘Know Thy Audience’ is a crucial element in choosing the right story. A story has to first speak to you at a deeper level; only then can you, as the teller, be the vessel and carrier of the story! Communicating the apt message is the key! Yes, if I don’t find an appropriate story, I do write one, as the character is etched in my imagination, ready to come alive.

 

How do you develop the personalities and voices of your puppet characters?

This depends on the sheer understanding and clarity of the relevant purpose of the given story! Keeping the ending open to different possibilities allows my audience the creative freedom to validate their expression and understanding. Voice modulation and variation make the characters relatable.

 

How do you use body movement and facial expressions of your puppet to convey emotions?

Puppets can convey emotions through physical movements, gestures, and facial expressions, making the storytelling more engaging and expressive.

They can also be used to represent abstract emotions or concepts, making it easier to convey complex emotional ideas.

How do you manage interactions between multiple puppets?

The clarity on the WHY I choose to share a particular story and HOW I am going to treat it organically allows me to interact among different characters and puppets.

 

How do you adapt your storytelling style to different age groups or audiences?

Being a trainer helps me to curate age-appropriate holistic sessions depending on the purpose of a particular event. To name a few: In educational institutions – as an edutainment tool, especially focusing on self-esteem and taking ownership. At the college level – unfurling innate creativity through expressions. At corporate events – values, wit, and humour. In hospitals – stories of hope and resilience spreading cheer. For corporate storytelling for adults/educators – lessons on conflict management, leadership, team building. For senior citizens – themes of self-worth, embracing your uniqueness, and owning your own story, etc.

 

Have you been doing puppet play for different categories of people also?

The belief that puppet play is only for children is a pure myth. I have successfully managed to cover a large spectrum through my storytelling sessions and workshops. Puppets are for everyone and stories have a universal appeal! Everytime I go impart my skills, in return, I get back a plethora of knowledge from my audience which I embed into my next programme.

 

Do you find puppets allow for greater emotional expression than traditional storytelling?

While traditional storytelling can be emotionally expressive, puppets offer a unique set of tools to convey emotions in a more engaging and creative manner, hence allowing for deeper emotional expression in several ways:

Multisensory experience: Puppets can engage multiple senses, including sight, sound, and touch, creating a richer emotional experience for the audience.

Playfulness: Puppets can add a playful touch to storytelling, allowing for more creative and imaginative exploration of emotions.

Empathy: Puppets can help audiences connect with emotions on a deeper level, fostering empathy and understanding.

 

Have you ever experienced audience members becoming particularly attached to a specific puppet character?

Absolutely! A story well told is active and alive; it triggers a gamut of emotions. A particular character resonates with each audience differently depending on how they receive the story. Puppets add a powerful visual dimension to it!

What are the biggest challenges you face when performing with puppets?

The sheer vulnerability of giving your best out there can be challenging. There can be instances when someone from the audience may not like a particular character puppet, and having the courage to be okay with that is essential! My innate nature of self-evaluation pushes me to reflect on how I can do this differently next time. Additionally, the limited understanding of how powerfully puppetry—a simple art form—can be used effectively and efficiently in all walks of life, irrespective of age, is also a challenge.

 

What advice would you give to someone interested in incorporating puppets into their storytelling?

Explore different forms and find your own style. There is no one way or method to use puppets. Embrace and be fearless in your pursuit of adopting your uniqueness. Puppets can create a sense of distance between the storyteller and the audience, allowing for more vulnerable and intimate emotions to be expressed. Be open to it. Do it for the pure love of this creative aspect, not just for commercial viability. This is a transformational journey!

 

“‘Know Thy Audience’ is a crucial element in choosing the right story. A story has to first speak to you at a deeper level; only then can you, as the teller, be the vessel and carrier of the story!”