--- title: "Authentic Kathputli Puppetry Performances and Workshops in Delhi" description: "Discover authentic Kathputli performances and custom puppet making by Sangeet Natak Academy awardee Puran Bhat. From traditional string puppets to giant parade figures, I bring heritage to life through my craft." canonical: https://mytribe.in/aakaar_puppet/custom-puppet-design-fabrication/featured last_updated: 2025-09-22 --- # Authentic Puppetry Performances and Custom Puppet Making Tribe Verified · Sangeet Natak Academy Award-winning artistry By [Aakaar Puppet Theatre](https://mytribe.in/aakaar_puppet) · Ships custom puppets across India · ₹3,500 Per Puppet (estimate) Part of [Custom Puppet Design & Fabrication](https://mytribe.in/aakaar_puppet/custom-puppet-design-fabrication). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/aakaar_puppet/custom-puppet-design-fabrication/gallery) From traditional Rajasthani Kathputli to giant parade puppets, this collection captures the heart of my craft. Whether you need a performance for your event or want to learn the art of puppet making, I bring heritage to life through wood, foam, and strings. ## Photos and videos - ![This is Anarkali, a traditional Rajasthani string puppet, captured during a performance. Her face is hand-painted on wood, and her costume is stitched with great care to allow for graceful dance movements, bringing the character to life under the stage lights.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7fa1208c-3454-43a8-aba5-0c885b1b3bc7) - ![Here you can see some of our giant parade puppets on stage with our full troupe. We create these large-than-life characters, like the sun puppet and the Rajasthani man, from lightweight foam so they are easy to carry during festivals and events.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/89c8bfb1-c4a7-477f-b40f-1cf44d05d062) - [Video: This video shows the very first step of making a giant mask puppet for a dance company. I am carving the main shape from a large block of foam, working from a concept sketch to create a custom, large-scale character piece.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9f0907eb-b994-4705-b65c-4c00d8e65017) - ![Teaching is a very important part of my work. Here, I am guiding a student during a wood carving workshop, showing her how to shape the puppet's head using traditional tools and techniques passed down through generations.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/287615c5-02cd-47c2-9fbe-e9d9a086c11f) - ![This is a character from one of our traditional puppet plays. The dramatic expression is hand-painted to be visible from afar, and the unique stringing allows for complex movements like bowing, which is essential for storytelling.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a3af8c2a-b855-4f05-96ed-fb58ab81530b) - [Video: People sometimes say our art is dying, but I believe art never dies. In this video from a conference with the ICCR, I am sharing my belief that this tradition will live on for generations to see and enjoy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0a372157-6db9-4e40-bceb-01229604e6c7) - ![This is me in my element, surrounded by the characters I have given life to. Each puppet, big or small, is a part of my family and carries a piece of our heritage.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1d359418-918a-4014-b48a-96fbb13dbd5a) ## About Featured Every puppet here starts with a concept, not a catalog. Whether you need a 1.5-foot string puppet carved from medicinal wood to resemble a specific person or a 10-foot foam giant for a festival parade, I personally oversee the carving, painting, and stringing to ensure each character has its own life. ### More Than Just A Performance People often tell me my art is dying, but I do not agree. *Art kabhi marta nahi hai, insaan mar jaata hai* (Art never dies, people do). This cluster represents the range of my work, from the delicate intricacy of traditional Kathputli to the bold, large-scale structures required for modern events and theatre collaborations. ### Custom Fabrication I treat every project as a new creation. * **Traditional Kathputli:** Each Rajasthani string puppet is hand-carved from mango or medicinal wood, with traditional oil-based painting and costumes stitched from brocade or upcycled fabrics. * **Giant Parade Puppets:** For festivals or corporate events, I craft lightweight, durable puppets (up to 12 feet) using high-density foam and bamboo structures, designed for easy operation during processions. * **Theatrical Masks & Props:** I specialize in custom mask fabrication for dance companies and theatre groups, focusing on visibility and movement. ### Hands-On Learning If you want to understand the craft, I host workshops where I teach you the entire journey: from sculpting the face and understanding the wood, to the technical skill of stringing ( *Nayi Zindagi, nayi dor* - new life, new string). These sessions are open to everyone, whether you are a curious child or a professional artist looking to incorporate puppets into your performance. My work is not just about the object; it is about the *parampara* (tradition) I carry. If you are looking for puppetry that is rooted, real, and full of soul, let us talk about your vision. ## About Aakaar Puppet Theatre I am Puran Bhat, and I have dedicated my life to the strings that tell our stories. My work from Katputli Colony is a bridge between the ancient traditions of Rajasthan and your modern events. I do not just sell puppets; I share the heritage that has been in my family for generations. [See all of Aakaar Puppet Theatre's services](https://mytribe.in/aakaar_puppet) ## More from Custom Puppet Design & Fabrication by Aakaar Puppet Theatre - [Giant Puppets for Festivals & Events](https://mytribe.in/aakaar_puppet/custom-puppet-design-fabrication/giant-puppets-for-festivals-events) - [Traditional String Puppets (Kathputli)](https://mytribe.in/aakaar_puppet/custom-puppet-design-fabrication/traditional-string-puppets-kathputli) - [Puppet Making Workshops](https://mytribe.in/aakaar_puppet/custom-puppet-design-fabrication/puppet-making-workshops) - [Our Mission & Journey](https://mytribe.in/aakaar_puppet/custom-puppet-design-fabrication/our-mission-journey) ## More services by Aakaar Puppet Theatre - [Puppetry Workshops & Training](https://mytribe.in/aakaar_puppet/puppetry-workshops-training) - [Rajasthani Puppet Shows (Kathputli)](https://mytribe.in/aakaar_puppet/rajasthani-puppet-shows-kathputli) ## Similar work from other experts - [Traditional Puppetry and Cultural Performances](https://mytribe.in/anupamahoskere/puppetry-performances-cultural-shows/featured) by Dhaatu · Puppetry Performances & Cultural Shows · Shows at Mandala Cultural Centre; Travels across Bengaluru and India - [Featured Puppetry Projects and Custom Designs](https://mytribe.in/satyajitpadhye/custom-puppet-design-and-creation/featured) by Satyajit Padhye · Custom Puppet Design & Creation · Visit studio in Chembur; Ships across India - [Grand Epic Puppet Shows for Events](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/epic-tales-on-strings) by Dhaatu Puppet Theater · Puppet Shows & Performances · Shows at theaters in Bengaluru; Travels across India for events - [Interactive Puppet Shows and Storytelling Performances](https://mytribe.in/talking.turtles.storytellers/storytelling-puppetry-performances/featured) by Talking Turtles Storytellers · Storytelling & Puppetry Performances · Travels to venues across India - [Hand Shadowplay and Traditional Storytelling](https://mytribe.in/acharyaprahlada/shadowgraphy-hand-shadow-storytelling/featured) by Prahlad Acharya · Shadowgraphy (Hand Shadow Storytelling) · Travels across India; Virtual shows available - [Magical Puppet Theatre Shows in Bengaluru](https://mytribe.in/puppetreetheatre/puppet-show-performances/featured) by PuppeTree · Puppet Show Performances · Performs at your venue in Bengaluru and travels across India ## Book To book Aakaar Puppet Theatre, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Namaste%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20work%20on%20mytribe.%20I%20am%20interested%20in%20a%20puppet%20show%2Fworkshop%20and%20would%20like%20to%20discuss%20some%20ideas.)