About the Play
“Zig Zags to Earth" is a shadow puppet play that blends traditional shadow puppetry with the innovative use of an overhead projector. The play revolves around the water cycle and includes material play with water. The combination of these storytelling techniques and elements not only results in striking visuals, but also transforms the performance into a rich sensory experience.
Zig, the protagonist of the play, is a being from another planet. Zig’s view of all earthly beings as belonging to the same bucket urges us to question an anthropocentric view of the world and suggests instead a kinship between us all. From their point of view the audience is asked to engage with water from a fresh perspective; one that allows engagement between the mundane and the extraordinary.
Zig Zags to Earth was created with the support of Goethe Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan and the Katkatha Puppet Arts Trust. It premiered at the Katkatha Puppet Fringe Festival at Max Mueller Bhavan.
Synopsis
Zig is on an intergalactic mission to save his planet. He is searching for a miraculous liquid which leads him to Earth. Here, Zig discovers that the miraculous liquid he was looking for is water. He begins a journey to understand where it comes from, tracing it back from a tap to its natural origins and processes. Zig is spellbound with the journey of water on Earth and all the forms and shapes it can take. But when he sees how humans treat this miraculous liquid, he decides that the best thing to do is to transport all the water on Earth back to his planet. He is told that he shouldn’t do that because water is necessary for the survival of human beings on Earth. Zig is full of questions for the Earthlings–but the biggest one is about our attitude towards this life-saving liquid. Do humans have an answer to his question? What will Zig do now? Join us on Zig’s journey to find out!
V Aarti
Aarti is a theatre artiste, writer and translator. She has an M.A. in Literary Arts & Creative Writing and her first children’s book is a forthcoming publication by Katha. Aarti’s work is centred around creating make-believe worlds for children that mirror complex realities. She is deeply interested in the metaphoric possibilities of puppets and is currently working on concepts at the intersection of arts and science. She has specialized in children’s theatre and has worked as an actress, theatre facilitator and Asst. Director in Delhi for the past 7 years. Aarti is also a core member of Khilona, India’s first company of adults performing for children.
Ankit Ravani
Ankit Ravani (b. 1992) is a visual artist, illustrator and educator from Mumbai. He holds an M.F.A. from Shiv Nadar University, a B.V.A. in Painting from the Faculty of Fine Arts M. S. University, Baroda, and he studied textile design at Sir J.J School of Art. His work engages with responding to absurdity linked with the often overlooked, and what leads to formation of the self. He has taught as a visiting lecturer at NID Haryana, at HSEA Bangalore for 4 years and has led a workshop for the Kochi students' Biennale. He has written and illustrated for curriculums and children's books with Art1st and Little Light. Ankit has a deep liking for picture books, and the world of children fascinates him. He has been a part of several exhibitions and is the recipient of the Inlaks Fine Art Award (2022).
Adheep Das
Adheep Das is a graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. He likes mixing various mediums and finding out what comes of them. Fascinated by science and arts alike, his interests take him to places that merge the two. He received the ThinkArts Grant for Children in 2022 as part of a 3-person collective. 'Moonless', a film he directed and animated, has competed at Dok Leipzig, Germany, and Dharamshala Intl. Film Festival. His documentary 'Khaalti Kaay Varti Kaay' competed at IDSSFK, Kerala. Some of his work has also been exhibited as part of the Kochi-Muziris Students' Biennale and the Wrong Biennale.
