Kensington's Giant Indian Puppets Bring Colorful Magic to the Streets!

This weekend, South Kensington in London will host a vibrant event called Giants on the Move. On Saturday and Sunday, seven enormous puppets, dressed in bright, patterned clothes, will be carried by hidden performers along Exhibition Road. The street is narrow, with a wall, a fence, and a bare tree in the background, making the parade even more eye-catching. Along with the giant puppets, there will be live drumming and moving sculptures, all coming together to celebrate the rich traditions of South Asian art, music, and crafts. The event is free and open to everyone, making it a great opportunity for families and friends to experience something unique.

The parade is organized by Serendipity Arts, a group that supports artists in South Asia and beyond. They say the event is inspired by India’s long history of puppet-making, which is known for its creativity and skill. The parade is meant to be an immersive experience, where people can join in, move with the puppets, and enjoy public art together. Giants on the Move is part of the Great Exhibition Road Festival, an annual event that celebrates science and art. This year’s festival is especially important because it marks 175 years since the original Great Exhibition, a famous event that showed off the best inventions and cultural achievements from the UK and other countries.

The director of Giants on the Move is Dadi Pudumjee, one of India’s most respected puppeteers. He has spent over fifty years working with different types of puppetry, including traditional Indian styles, object theatre, masks, and music. Dadi Pudumjee started the Ishara Puppet Theatre in 1986 and the Ishara International Puppet Festival in 2001. His work has been seen in many places around the world, including Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Australia. He has won several important awards, such as the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1992 and the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest honors, in 2011. He has also served as president of UNIMA International, a global puppetry organization. Serendipity Arts, the group behind the event, is a non-profit that helps artists working in visual art, music, theatre, dance, and design. Their annual festival in Goa has become the largest arts event in South Asia. The Great Exhibition Road Festival will run from 12:00 to 18:00 on June 6 and 7, with the puppet parade happening at 12:45 and 15:15 each day. All events are free, so everyone is welcome to join in the fun and celebrate the creativity of South Asian culture.