The Source of our Inspiration...

 PADMA SHRI MAGUNI CHARAN KUANR

Born in 1937 in Keonjhar (Kendujhar, Odisha), Mr. Maguni Charan Kuanr founded the Utkal Biswakarma Kalakunja Kandhei Nacha troupe at Keonjhar. He is credited to have developed over 20 puppetry productions with 300 characters based on mythological stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata.

He had changed Kathi Kandhei Nacha from a crude puppetry style to a polished art form. He not only handled puppets but also created them, crafted their costumes, wrote screenplays, developed music for his shows, designed stages and lent background scores for his characters. He was the narrator of over 500 puppetry plays that he staged across the country.

Fighting against his own family and a conservative society, Mr. Kuanr decided to pursue Kathi Kandhei Nacha (Rod Puppetry) from a young age by observing the fishermen (SC) community who also played puppets for a living. Belonging to an upper caste, his family had objected to his decision but he started secretly learning the craft from master puppeteer Makaradhwaja Jharaa who had no heir. When Makaradhwaja passed away, Mr. Kuanr, in his early 20s then, decided to perform rod puppetry in public.

Considered a dying craft then, he revived the art form by adding several new elements to it. He had also trained a large number of youths in the craft. His work has been documented by various art agencies in India and abroad. Apart from the Padma Shri, Mr. Kuanr had received the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 2004 and several other awards. 

In the year 2023, Mr. Kuanr was honoured with the highest civilian award Padma Shri by the President of India Droupadi Murmu for promoting Kathi Kandhei Nacha in Odisha and beyond. He was suffering from age related ailments for some time. 

Veteran puppeteer and Kathi Kandhei Nacha (rod puppetry) exponent Mr. Maguni Charan Kuanr passed away at the age of 87 at Kendujhar on 01st June, 2024 (Saturday). 

Dear "Grandpa", your noble contributions to the art, culture and rich heritage of Odisha would always be a true inspiration to keep us motivated to contribute our best collective efforts for the betterment of our society and the nation.