The quiet magic of Japan’s Kamishibai is now in Bengaluru

With a wooden box and a happi coat, professional storyteller, theatre artiste, and educator Ramya Srinidhi has brought the quiet magic of Japan’s oldest form of street theatre — Kamishibai — to the streets, schools, and art spaces of Bengaluru. Through evocative storytelling and vibrant visuals, she captures the imagination of audiences across age groups and cultures. Ramya who is also the founder of Indian Kamishibai Association (IKA) along with her friend Seema Karanth who is a creative partner have over 80 members pan INDIA who are learning and performing Kamishibai. ‘I STUMBLED UPON KAMISHIBAI AND I KNEW IT WAS FOR ME’

Ramya first encountered Kamishibai during a storytelling workshop. “The minute I saw that box open and the cards being pulled out, I knew this was for me,” she recalls. “It combined everything I love: performance, visuals, and interaction. Since then, I’ve been learning Kamishibai and carrying the little butai (wooden box) everywhere to share stories.” She also began tracing parallels with India’s own picture-based and oral storytelling traditions. “Kamishibai was never just about Japan. I weave in Indian elements to make the stories resonate more deeply,” she adds.

What is Kamishibai?

Kamishibai means “paper drama” in Japanese. This early 20th-century street theatre flourished in Japan during the 1920s and ’30s. Travelling storytellers would draw children in by clapping wooden blocks together, often selling sweets alongside stories.

‘KAMISHIBAI IS IMMERSIVE, SIMPLE AND POWERFUL – ALL AT ONCE’

Kamishibai uses the butai and illustrated story cards to create a visual and oral rhythm. “It’s like turning the pages of a book together,” says Ramya, and adds, “The audience watches the story unfold one card at a time; it’s immersive, simple, and powerful.”

‘IT REMINDS US THAT STORYTELLING NEED NOT TO BE FANCY; IT JUST NEEDS A VOICE’

“The beauty of Kamishibai is its simplicity. In a world where attention is hard to hold, this little wooden theatre reminds us that storytelling doesn’t need anything fancy — just a voice, some pictures, and a willing audience. When those little doors open, so do imaginations,” shares Ramya.

‘BENGALURU IS THE BEST PLACE TO EXPERIMENT WITH ART’

“People here are curious; they don’t just listen, they ask questions and want to try new things out. With its mix of cultures, languages, and audiences, Bengaluru is the perfect ground for storytelling,” Ramya says.