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Our Puppetry Journey: Keeping Traditions Alive

byAakaar Puppet TheatreShips custom puppets across IndiaStarts from₹3,500 Per PuppetView full gallery

Art never dies, it lives in our hearts. This is the story of Aakaar Puppet Theatre—from our roots in Delhi's Kathputli Colony to stages across the world.

I believe it is important to speak for our craft. This is a clip of me at a conference, explaining that art is immortal and we must not call it a 'dying art'. It is a message from my heart to keep all traditions respected and alive.

A quiet moment with my creations after a show in Barcelona, Spain. Traveling the world for puppet festivals allows me to share our Indian culture and also learn from other artists, keeping our tradition connected and growing.

This poster for our performance in Barcelona is a reminder of our journey. We were invited to perform, and it shows that the art of Kathputli is loved and appreciated by people everywhere.

About Our Mission & Journey

When I craft a puppet, I am not just assembling wood and fabric. I follow old traditions, including a small blessing for the new puppet head before it is painted. Whether you are hosting a school event in Delhi or a festival abroad, my approach ensures that every character tells a story that has resonated for generations.

Performing traditional Kathputli across three continents. — Approved by the tribe
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Aakaar Puppet Theatre

Ships custom puppets across IndiaStarts from ₹3,500 Per Puppet

I am Puran Bhat, a Sangeet Natak Academy awardee and a lifelong puppeteer from Delhi. My life is dedicated to my puppets, and I invite you to join me in preserving this beautiful tradition.

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This photograph from 1976 is a sweet memory and a surprise discovery. It shows me as a young girl in a dance class with my Guru, Kaushik sir. My journey in the traditional arts has been a long and blessed one, starting from a very young age.
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This vintage photo shows my father, Ramdas Padhye, with the legendary actor Dev Anand and our family's century-old puppet, Ardhavatrao. It's a beautiful reminder of our long history in the world of entertainment.11
Another treasured photograph from the 1970s, capturing the moment my father met the great showman Raj Kapoor after a performance at the Filmfare Awards.

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Our founder, Anupama Hoskere, demonstrates the manipulation of a string puppet during a rehearsal. Her hands guide the puppet's every move, breathing life and emotion into the character.
A puppeteer's view from above the stage. This unique perspective shows the skill required to manage the strings of a puppet, ensuring fluid and expressive movements during the performance.

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We were so grateful for this feature in the Vijaya Karnataka newspaper ahead of our 'Popo' performance.7
A poster for our World Puppetry Day celebration in Pondicherry, featuring our founder Anvitha with the beloved puppet 'Popo'.
An announcement for our performance at Nayana Rangamandira in Bangalore as part of the World Puppetry Day celebrations.
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