Founders

Dr. PRAKASH GARUD


Theatre Actor, Director and Puppeteer

Prakash Garud a Theatre Director is coming from Theatre artist family. His Grand Father Shri Sadashivraya Garud, his father Shri. Sripadraya are all theatre artists and they are all Actors, Playwright and Directors. They built a theatre company of their own and they gave many dramas performances all over Karnataka. Prakash Garud completed his B.Sc. degree and then he did his Diploma in Theatre at NINASAM. He completed his Post Graduation course in Theatre at Madhurai Kamaraj University. He also got Doctorate in Theatre. He took a research work in Puppet making and finally evolved a special shadow puppet repertory company and named it as a CHAYACHALANE. He performed a shadow puppet show throughout Karnataka. He and his wife Mrs. Rajani Prakash Garud are the founders of PUPPET HOUSE (Gombe Mane). With this Puppet House they engaged in puppet performance activities. With the help of puppet showing activities they engaged in Alternative Education in Education field. They are the founder members of BALABALAGA SRUJANASHEELA SHIKSHNA TRUST also. He directed the dramas like Hamlet Othelo, Shudra Tapaswi, Smashana Kurukshetra, Haddina Kannu, Anjumallige.

The Central Government recognized his activities in Theatre and gave Cultural Senior Fellowship to Dr. Prakash Garud. The India Foundation For The Arts Bangalore and Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust, Mumbai are giving a financial support to Dr. Prakash Garud for his excellent contribution in Theatre and Puppet Showing activities.







RAJANI GARUD

Drama Actress & Director

Smt Rajani Garud is from a village Kerekai, Tq. Sirsi of North Canara (Karnataka). She completed her degree in Theatre education at NINASAM. She settled at Dharwad and she is founder of BALABALAGA SRUJANASHEELA SHIKSHANA TRUST in 1996. She is engaging in alternative educational activities and Theatre for Education.

She is founder member of Puppet House (Gombe Mane) and she is expert in puppets making. She directed the children dramas and puppet shows. She worked in NINASAM’S TIRUGATA DRAMA repertory as a Actor. She also conducted many children theatre camps to many children plays.

She acted as a main actor in dramas like Tughlak, Cherri Orchard, Good Woman of Sejuvan, Othelo, Hamlet, Bettele Vesha, Helthini Kela Geleya, Vishama Vivaha, Anjumallige etc.

She also directed the children plays like Pushparani, Bettappana Kanasu, Beppu Takkadi Bole Shankara, Hakki Hadu, Kempu Hoo, Angula Huluvina Parakaya Pravesha, Putta Gouriya Chandamama etc. She worked as Puppet Designer and Puppet Script writer for issues like Child Labour Eradication.