---
title: "Dhaatu Puppet Theater – Traditional Puppetry & Cultural Workshops - mytribe"
description: "Experience Dhaatu Puppet Theater’s traditional puppetry, engaging cultural workshops, and puppet museum visits. Discover heritage storytelling and connect with India’s vibrant arts. Book your unforgettable cultural experience now!"
canonical: https://mytribe.in/anupamahoskere
last_updated: 2024-05-15
---

# Dhaatu

We are dedicated to preserving traditional Indian puppet arts through shows and cultural workshops for all ages. Our work is rooted in the Dakshina Bharata sampradaya, with puppets and stories inspired by Hoysala temple art.

## Services

### [Cultural Experiences & Venue Rental](https://mytribe.in/anupamahoskere/cultural-experiences-venue-rental)

Located at Mandala Cultural Centre, Kanakapura Road

Typically ₹200-1,200 per person (estimate)

- ![An intimate puppet show in progress at our centre. Here, you can see our artists engaging with the audience, demonstrating how traditional Indian string puppets are brought to life to tell timeless stories.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1eb65a88-ada5-4f11-8ef4-8a92bdb22583)
- ![A scene from the Gajendra Moksha story, depicted with our handcrafted puppets. This display showcases the intricate detail and expressive artistry that goes into each character, from the divine form of Vishnu to the elephant and crocodile.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1d4b6d9b-8347-4a73-8e6d-20f194f76ad1)
- ![We were delighted to host students from Creighton University, USA, and St. Joseph's College, Bengaluru. This picture captures a moment from their India immersion program, standing before the stone chariot replica at our centre.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/164c67eb-229f-4da1-ab06-3d36dabb61bf)
- ![A moment of discovery during an experiential puppet play session. After the show, we invite our guests to get a closer look and even try their hand at manipulating the puppets, creating a memorable, hands-on cultural experience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/56afbc7d-6540-417d-b5e9-3d2c083c34f9)
- ![Visitors exploring the Dhaatu Puppet Museum during a guided tour. Our collection is housed in well-lit display cases, allowing for a close appreciation of the diverse forms of puppetry from various Indian traditions.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/179283f8-004f-4fd9-a630-cca25d97fdb8)
- [Video: Our serene, green space is available for birthday parties and private get-togethers. We offer a unique venue for celebrations in the traditional Bharatiya way, focusing on art, nature, and meaningful connections.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d39c3adb-3ee3-4ec5-8edc-00bf102799bb)
- [Video: It was a moment of profound gratitude to be honored with the Padma Shri for my work in the field of art. This recognition from the Ministry of Culture strengthens our resolve to continue preserving and promoting the rich tradition of Indian puppetry.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/43f8d88f-7b66-48aa-ac5c-2a6b785cb8f6)
- [Video: The joy on the faces of these young children as they hold their own finger puppets is truly heartwarming. We believe that introducing children to our cultural arts at a young age fosters creativity and a connection to their heritage.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6bd8fb87-5177-48ce-be2d-5f605a4cb4e1)

### [Puppetry & Cultural Arts Workshops](https://mytribe.in/anupamahoskere/puppetry-cultural-arts-workshops)

Online sessions available; Workshops at Mandala Cultural Centre, Kanakapura Road

Typically ₹800-15K per participant per workshop (estimate)

- [Video: This video celebrates the recognition of my life's work with the Padma Shri award and offers a close look at the 'Spiral of Life' installation. It features nine puppets in the Hoysala style, each depicting one of the Navarasas, or nine core human emotions, showcasing the depth and intricacy of traditional Indian string puppetry.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3faba032-37c3-41f7-ba42-a77d71393c27)
- [Video: It is a joy to see the wonder in children's eyes as they create their very own puppets. Here I am with a group of young participants from a recent workshop, proudly holding the Rama and Krishna finger puppets they made themselves at our Mandala Cultural Centre.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6bd8fb87-5177-48ce-be2d-5f605a4cb4e1)
- ![The final, most meditative step in bringing a puppet to life is painting the face. Each brushstroke adds character and soul. This is a quiet moment in my workshop where I am giving expression to a new wooden puppet, a process I am passionate about sharing with my students.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c324a178-b289-4bc2-a934-462494c3d79d)
- [Video: This video gives you a look at the authentic materials used in our intensive Pavakathakali Hand Puppet workshop. Master craftsman Rithesh is displaying a painted puppet head alongside the raw wooden hands and heads that students will learn to carve and bring to life, connecting them with an ancient craft from Kerala.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a714494e-8db7-470c-bbae-174310ac658b)
- ![Shadow puppetry, or 'Togalu Gombeyaata', is an ancient and magical art form from Karnataka. This is a scene from our production of 'Malavikaagnimitram', where intricately crafted leather puppets create dramatic silhouettes to tell a classic story.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/43957f03-e6e5-421d-8991-4d2d707e0afa)
- [Video: Our Epic Series workshops are designed to immerse children aged 9 to 14 in the world of the Mahabharata. This poster outlines the week-long program which includes storytelling, shloka chanting, colouring activities, and culminates in a stage show where children perform with puppets.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7eaf54ef-d7ff-4137-af9d-016cbf5c5cc7)
- [Video: This video takes you behind the scenes as we prepare for a performance of 'Chudala'. From stringing the puppets to a young family member helping with the beads, it shows the community and dedication that goes into every show before the magic unfolds on stage.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/39cbb644-be87-485f-8152-fe4d3a816bfc)

### [Puppetry Performances & Cultural Shows](https://mytribe.in/anupamahoskere/puppetry-performances-cultural-shows)

Shows at Mandala Cultural Centre; Travels across Bengaluru and India

Typically ₹30K-1.2L per show (estimate)

- ![This is the stage for our production, "Vijayanagara Vaibhava," set against the magnificent Gagan Mahal in Anegundi. We believe in creating immersive experiences, where the performance setting is as grand and authentic as the stories we tell. This show brings to life the golden era of the Vijayanagara kings, celebrating a time when art and culture flourished.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/36db5ef9-e337-4230-ba9e-8f34312375da)
- ![Here is a close-up of one of our handcrafted puppets representing the tribals of Malwa. Every puppet is a labor of love, meticulously carved, painted, and adorned with traditional attire and jewelry. We focus on these details to ensure each character on stage is not just a puppet, but a personality with its own story.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/35e610e6-d2d7-43e0-88f3-fbe59a011f81)
- [Video: Through our puppets, we narrate stories that are central to the Indian identity, including tales from our freedom struggle. This performance recounts the story of Vidurashwatha, known as the Jallianwala Bagh of the South. We see it as our duty, our kartavya, to keep these important historical memories alive for the next generation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/28446667-7005-40c6-a382-500cd5be88ce)
- ![We often blend traditional string puppetry with classical dance, a unique fusion that brings a dynamic energy to our storytelling. In this scene from "Malavikaagnimitram," a live dancer interacts with the puppets, creating a beautiful dialogue between two distinct art forms. This combination allows for a richer, multi-layered performance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6ce5a967-f9b0-4bca-a762-f0ee8b9f8f26)
- ![The journey of each puppet begins in our workshop, with my own hands. Here, I am giving life to a character by painting its features, a process that requires immense focus and a deep connection to the art form. This hands-on approach ensures that the soul of the story is embedded in every puppet we create.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c324a178-b289-4bc2-a934-462494c3d79d)
- ![A performance is only complete with its audience. This image captures a moment where children and adults are engrossed in our puppet show. Our goal is to create a shared experience that transcends age, offering something real and memorable that brings families and communities together.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/162d9a29-643c-4ecb-8b56-66ab1d44275a)
- [Video: Our work is dedicated to preserving and promoting the traditional arts of Bharata, a commitment that was recently honored with the Padma Shri. This video showcases some of the puppets from my installation at the Bangalore Airport, which depicts the nine emotions or 'rasas'. It is a blessing to see this art form receive such recognition.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3faba032-37c3-41f7-ba42-a77d71393c27)

## Meet your expert

### My story

We Indians, we love telling stories, don’t we? At Dhaatu, puppetry is not just a job, it’s a calling. Sometimes, it’s tough, but I always find inspiration in legends like Rukmini Devi Arundale. Bharatanatyam, gardening, puppets - all tangled up in the spiral of life. When Padma Shri came, it was pure gratitude, a salute to Bharat. What we do is about keeping our stories alive, so the next gen can feel proud and connected.

### My work

- **What We Offer**: Traditional puppet shows - string, shadow, hand puppets, plus Ramayana puppet show, museum tours, and birthday events.
- **Cultural Workshops**: We run workshops for kids and adults, using epics and history to spark curiosity and joy.
- **Rooted in Tradition**: Our puppetry follows Dakshina Bharata sampradaya, with puppets inspired by Hoysala temple art.
- **Special Show Moments**: Once, we found a chariot in a village for our Vijayanagara Vaibhava performance. Magic happens when stories come alive.