Archive · 30 May 2025
Puppet Show Retells Karnataka's Freedom Struggle Tragedy
Imagine a small village in India called Vidurashwatha, where something sad happened during the time when India wanted to be free.
People gathered to protest and raise the Indian flag.
The British authorities didn't like this and told them not to meet.
But people went anyway.
Then, the police started shooting.
The government said only a few people died, but people who were there said many more died.
Now, there's a puppet show using old Karnataka puppets to tell this story.
It's like using a play with puppets to teach everyone what happened in the past so people don't forget.
A puppet show in Bengaluru will retell the story of Vidurashwatha's role in India's freedom struggle.
The event commemorates the 1938 Vidurashwatha incident, often called Karnataka's Jallianwala Bagh.
A peaceful protest and flag-hoisting was planned by local leaders and villagers.
British authorities banned the gathering, but protestors assembled anyway.
Police fired on the crowd, with official records claiming 10 deaths, while eyewitnesses reported over 100.
- Who
- Local leaders, villagers, and British authorities.
- What
- A puppet show retelling the Vidurashwatha incident.
- When
- April 25, 1938
- Where
- Vidurashwatha, Chikkballapur district, Karnataka; Show at National Gallery of Modern Art, Bengaluru.
- Why
- To create awareness about Vidurashwatha's role in India's freedom struggle.
Official Records
Eyewitness Accounts
Casualties
Official Records
Around 10 deaths.
Eyewitness Accounts
Over 100 deaths.
- Location of Incident
- Vidurashwatha, Chikkballapur district, Karnataka
- Date of Incident
- April 25, 1938
- Protest Action
- Peaceful protest and flag-hoisting
- Police Action
- At least 90 rounds fired
- Estimated Deaths
- Over 100 reported by eyewitnesses
- Show Medium
- String Puppets
- Show Venue
- National Gallery of Modern Art, Bengaluru