Siddappa V Biradar

The Foundation Project implemented by IFA will engage eight grade students of the Government High School, Chibbalageri, in Haliyala taluk, Uttara Kannada district. Titled Hakkiya Hadu – Songs from the Birds, this 15-month initiative aims to foster environmental awareness and research through folk stories, puppet performances, and creative writing by integrating science, culture, and art into a meaningful learning experience. Siddappa V Biradar is the Project Coordinator for this foundation project. 

Siddappa V Biradar, a passionate science educator, has been inspiring students for over 23 years through his creative teaching methods. His unique approach of using puppetry in science education earned him widespread recognition and acclaim. A prolific writer, he has authored four books, published numerous articles in leading newspapers, and featured in programs on All India Radio and Dooradarshan. As an active member of the Karnataka Bal Vikas Academy and Karnataka Bayalata Academy, he has played a vital role in promoting cultural education across Karnataka. Alongside a dedicated team of former students, he showcases puppetry performances at state, national, and international platforms, blending art with learning in impactful ways. Given his experience, he is best placed to be the Project Coordinator of this Foundation Project of IFA. 

In the forest-rich region of Haliyal and Dandeli, birds are deeply woven into local folklore, with each species carrying symbolic meaning and unique names. The Malabar Grey Hornbill, known as Bangara Hakki, is believed to bring rain, guide lost travelers, and even bless the fortunate—earning titles like “Messenger of the Forest” and “Gift of the River Goddess.” The Indian Treepie, or Pengala, is seen as a sign of an approaching guest, with tales of its laughter leading children safely through the forest. The Sunbird, called Suryapuchchi, is revered as a divine presence, believed to bring prosperity to farmers. These stories reflect how birds are not just part of nature but are cherished as cultural symbols, connecting communities to their environment through imagination, belief, and oral tradition.

Siddappa's project seeks to use above local beliefs and folk stories about birds as a rich educational resource to enhance students' understanding of science and social science. The project begins by introducing students to the rich bird biodiversity of the Western Ghats, particularly in the Dandeli region. Through field visits and interactions with local communities, students learn about various bird species and their ecological roles. They collect folk stories, beliefs, and oral narratives from village elders, which reflect the deep cultural connections between people and birds. This phase encourages students to engage in research, conduct interviews, and document their findings, laying the groundwork for inquiry-based learning.

In the next phase, students creatively transform the collected stories into written narratives and adapt them into scripts. They design and craft string puppets to visually represent the birds and their tales. Working collaboratively, they rehearse and perform puppetry performances that bring these stories to life. This process nurtures imagination, artistic expression, and teamwork, while also strengthening language and storytelling skills. The performances serve as a bridge between scientific understanding and cultural heritage.

The final phase focuses on compiling the students’ work into a collective book that showcases their stories, illustrations, and reflections. By connecting ecological knowledge with folk traditions and creative expression, the project fosters environmental awareness, research-oriented thinking, and meaningful engagement with the local community. Through this multidimensional approach, students gain a deeper appreciation of nature, culture, and collaborative learning.

Siddappa Biradar believes that using puppets is a powerful way to bring bird stories to life and make learning more engaging. He sees it as a tool that nurtures children's creativity through crafting, painting, and performing while also building teamwork by giving each student a meaningful role. For him, puppetry performances not only showcase learning but also revive traditional folk arts, helping students reconnect with their cultural roots. His views are genuine, as students from his previous project went on to become professional puppeteers, performing across India. Their continued success has made the project's impact truly sustainable.

The outcome of this project will be performances and a publication. The Project Coordinator’s deliverables to IFA with the final report will be copies of the publication, still and video documentation of the entire project.

This project suitably addresses the framework of IFA’s Arts Education programme in the manner in which it attempts to connect students and schools to the cultural knowledge of the local communities they live in. 

IFA will ensure that the implementation of this project happens promptly and funds expended are accounted for. IFA will also review the progress of the project at midterm and document it through an Implementation Memorandum. After the project is finished and all deliverables are submitted, IFA will put together a Final Evaluation to share with Trustees.

This Foundation Project is made possible in partnership with InterGlobe Foundation.