Traditional Puppetry and Cultural Performances

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.