To create awareness about COVID-19 among children and rural communities, Birbhum Sanskriti Bahini launched a special Human Puppet Theatre campaign in Birbhum district.

The initiative was organized with the support of the district administration to educate people about coronavirus prevention, health safety measures, and responsible behavior during the pandemic. Through an innovative theatrical presentation, performers dressed and acted as giant human puppets to attract the attention of children and villagers.

The article reports that the troupe staged the production titled “Corona Karona”, focusing on COVID-related awareness. The performances explained:

• The importance of wearing masks.
• Maintaining social distancing.
• Following hygiene and sanitation practices.
• Protecting children from infection.
• Avoiding unnecessary gatherings.
• Understanding the dangers of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Ujjal Mukhopadhyay, director of Birbhum Sanskriti Bahini, the organization has been working since 2015 through various forms of cultural activities and awareness programmes. During the pandemic, they adopted the Human Puppet Theatre format to communicate health messages in a simple and engaging manner.

Two teams traveled through different villages and localities across the district, performing awareness programmes before large gatherings of children and villagers. Each performance involved around 12 artists portraying human puppets and interacting directly with the audience.

The article notes that the unique visual appeal of the human puppets helped children understand the messages more effectively. The district administration appreciated the effort and encouraged the use of cultural media for public awareness campaigns.

The report also mentions that Birbhum district had undertaken several welfare measures for children during the pandemic, including the distribution of masks and other essential protective materials. The Human Puppet Theatre campaign became an important part of this broader public health awareness initiative.

The performances received positive responses from local communities, with many villagers gathering to watch and learn about preventive measures against COVID-19.