Shyam Mali, assistant director of Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal passed away on Tuesday 22nd April at his residence. He was 57-year-old and was suffering from heart problems.

Lok Kala Mandal Museum remained closed on 22nd April due to the distressing incident. Shyam Mali is survived by wife and two children.

According to the close family sources, Shyam Mali underwent bypass surgery few months back.

Shyam Mali started his career as a puppet artist and had spent 23 years with Lok Kala Mandal on various posts. He joined at a very early age of 21 with a keen interest in puppet plays in 1978 as an incharge of Puppet Training.

While working with Lok Kala Mandal, Shyam Mali also organized number of training camps across Rajasthan, where he trained local students, teachers and even foreign guests.

Shyam Mali also lead Lok Kala Mandal in various educational programs, which included SWATCH, Literacy Awareness and visited around 880 villages with puppet shows on social awareness.

Due to his contribution for society and art, he received number of recognitions from well known institutions, prominent among them are Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Academy in year 2000.

Mali recently wrote few plays which received appreciation globally. Some among them are Chitragnda & Kabuli Wala on life span of Rabindra Nath Tagore and puppet show on life of Swami Vivekananda which has been presented almost 200 episodes across globe.