---
title: "Dhaatu Puppet Theater – Indian Puppetry & Cultural Storytelling Shows - mytribe"
description: "Experience Dhaatu Puppet Theater’s Indian puppetry, cultural storytelling, puppet workshops, and museum tours in Bengaluru. Perfect for families and culture lovers. Book your show or workshop today!"
canonical: https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater
last_updated: 2024-05-15
---

# Dhaatu Puppet Theater

We are a puppet theater committed to sharing the wisdom of Indian epics through traditional puppetry. We offer shows, workshops, festivals, and a museum to engage all ages with our rich cultural heritage.

## Services

### [Cultural Festivals & Exhibitions](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/cultural-festivals-exhibitions)

Hosted at Mandala Cultural Centre, Bengaluru

Typically ₹100-500 per person (estimate)

- ![A quiet moment between two characters from our production, brought to life through the delicate art of traditional string puppetry. Each puppet is handcrafted, and every movement tells a part of the story, conveying emotions that words cannot always express. This is the essence of 'sutrada gombe ata', the string puppet theatre of Karnataka.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/81fd09d6-2b26-4010-a3cf-876941707713)
- [Video: Step into the magical world of our Dhaatu Navaratra Mahotsava. This video walks you through our annual doll exhibition, where over 5,000 dolls are arranged to narrate epic tales and cultural stories. It is a month-long celebration of art, devotion, and community that transforms our cultural centre into a wonderland.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/07b34c73-24a7-4eb2-86e0-9b6f1892577b)
- ![The captivating play of light and shadow in a 'Tholpavakoothu' or shadow puppetry performance. This ancient art form from Southern India uses translucent leather puppets to create mystical silhouettes against a screen, narrating stories from the great epics. Here you can see the intricate details of the puppets and the artists who manipulate them.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7bef89ea-69b5-419a-bb7f-95079d595abe)
- [Video: A look behind the curtain at the preparations for our show 'Giridhar Nagar Ki Meera'. This video shows our dedicated artists meticulously dressing the puppets, rehearsing movements, and pouring their hearts into the craft. It is this dedication that breathes life into every performance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/00be100b-661f-4cd3-885a-a99b7a0b8618)
- ![Our puppet stage set against the magnificent Gagan Mahal for the Vijayanagara Utsava. Performing in such historical settings connects our art to its deep roots. It is an honour to bring the story of 'Vijayanagara Vaibhava' back to the land where its history was made.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6a4d66f4-6342-4923-9821-48b28504c32b)
- [Video: Glimpses from the Kalāmārga Nrityotsava, our classical dance festival. Here, you see excerpts from Bharatanatyam performances that are an integral part of our cultural celebrations. We believe dance and puppetry are sister arts, both telling stories through movement and expression.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6d5d6ba9-8240-4a92-bf9a-d9e443ec8d4b)
- ![A hand-drawn invitation to our Dhaatu Puppet Santhe. This one-day festival is all about community and hands-on experience, featuring museum tours, puppet shows, and a 'karyagara' or workshop where you can make your very own puppet to take home.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/12ee64ac-f3aa-4a9d-b686-58b79fad0f59)
- ![I am deeply humbled and honoured to have been conferred the Padma Shri award for my contributions to the field of art. This recognition strengthens my resolve to continue preserving and propagating the rich tradition of Indian puppetry for future generations.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6c10a1f9-8360-41b5-9d06-b03c88e5c434)

### [Museum Tours & Educational Programs](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs)

Tours at Mandala Cultural Centre, Bengaluru

Typically ₹100-800 per person per visit (estimate)

- ![This is the essence of our craft. Two traditional string puppets, brought to life on stage, enact a scene from one of our classical Indian stories. Notice the detailed costumes and expressive features, each designed to convey deep emotion and narrative.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/81fd09d6-2b26-4010-a3cf-876941707713)
- ![A view of our annual Dhaatu Navarātra Mahotsava. The entire hall is transformed into a landscape of stories, with thousands of dolls arranged in intricate dioramas that depict scenes from our epics and the vibrant life of Bharat.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1d62f3eb-6a19-4cf1-8ae1-1f426c202f22)
- [Video: Storytelling is a sacred act for me. Here, I am sharing tales from the Ramayana with an audience of all ages, connecting the wisdom of ancient texts to the curious minds of today. These sessions are an interactive part of our museum experience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a4920962-f250-4c62-be85-11e543998a28)
- ![We welcome learners from across the globe. In this photo, I am guiding students from Creighton University, USA, and St. Joseph's College, Bengaluru, through the museum as part of their India immersion program, explaining the history of puppetry.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0f50d82a-92cb-4a02-ad50-4c2ff4b626af)
- [Video: Witness the devotion and artistry in this clip from our Ramlalla puppet show. The gentle rocking of the cradle and the traditional lullaby create a moment of pure rasānanda, or aesthetic bliss, celebrating a pivotal moment in the Ramayana.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/70d91985-adfd-4d9b-b7d7-572cb524d3e1)
- ![It was a moment of immense pride and humility to be conferred the Padma Shri for my contributions to the field of art. This recognition strengthens my resolve to preserve and propagate the rich tradition of Indian puppetry for future generations.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6c10a1f9-8360-41b5-9d06-b03c88e5c434)
- ![Our performances showcase diverse puppetry forms. Here, artists demonstrate Tholpavakoothu, the art of shadow puppetry from Kerala, where leather puppets are used to narrate stories from the epics against a backlit screen.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/965b5ab5-277c-48eb-8150-1ad3a5180e5a)

### [Puppet Shows & Performances](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances)

Shows at theaters in Bengaluru; Travels across India for events

Typically ₹10K-1.5L per show (estimate)

- ![This is the essence of our art, a moment of pure connection between the puppeteer and the puppet. Here, a performer embodies the devotion of Meera Bai, merging dance and puppetry to tell the story of the saint-poet in our production 'Giridhar Nagar Ki Meera'.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/04a7f2b3-fb45-4454-9ae9-11e519f1dc9c)
- [Video: We bring the grand epic of the Ramayana to life through 'Ramayana Saptaswara', a spectacle featuring over 100 handcrafted string puppets. This collage captures scenes from the narrative, from the royal courts of Ayodhya to the dramatic encounters in the forest, showcasing the scale of our productions.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1c148ba1-cb60-40be-af20-638c8e341d20)
- [Video: Experience the ancient and dramatic art of Ravanachhaya, the traditional shadow puppetry from Odisha. Using intricately cut leather puppets, we create a mesmerizing world of light and shadow to narrate powerful stories from the Ramayana.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/11cee4af-f233-40ee-9b48-ffa890a99f09)
- [Video: The magic of our shows begins long before the curtain rises. This is a look into our creative space, where every puppet is meticulously prepared and rehearsals bring together generations of artists, including our youngest learners, to carry forward this beautiful tradition.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0c1e6b06-0eb4-4061-84df-4aa188a8729a)
- ![The joy and wonder on the faces of our audience, especially the children, is our greatest reward. This photo captures a moment of rapt attention during our 'Vijayanagara Vaibhava' show, where the history of a great empire unfolds before their eyes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/56f027c2-98b2-461b-b933-3ed874f4e146)
- ![We are humbled and honored that our founder-director, Smt. Anupama Hoskere, was conferred the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors. This recognition fuels our commitment to preserving and propagating the art of puppetry.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6c10a1f9-8360-41b5-9d06-b03c88e5c434)
- ![A close-up look at the intricate details of our Sutrada Gombe, the traditional string puppets of Karnataka. Each puppet is a work of art, from the hand-painted faces to the carefully stitched costumes, designed to express a universe of emotions on stage.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/81fd09d6-2b26-4010-a3cf-876941707713)
- [Video: A tender moment from our Ramayana production, as the queens rock the cradles of the infant princes Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. We use traditional lullabies in this scene to convey the love and joy of the royal family.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/70d91985-adfd-4d9b-b7d7-572cb524d3e1)

### [Puppetry & Craft Workshops](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppetry-craft-workshops)

Workshops at theaters in Banashankari & Talaghattapura, Bengaluru

Typically ₹400-7,000 per participant per workshop (estimate)

- ![We believe puppetry is poetry in motion. This image captures a tender moment between a puppeteer and her creation during our "Poetry in Puppetry" show, showcasing the deep emotional connection that is at the heart of our storytelling.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/04a7f2b3-fb45-4454-9ae9-11e519f1dc9c)
- [Video: This is where the magic begins. Our two-week Pavakathakali workshop takes you through the entire process of creating a traditional Kerala hand puppet, from meticulously carving the wood and painting delicate features to stitching the final costume.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/14a20fbb-4887-4a9c-971d-c0acd68f145c)
- [Video: Storytelling is central to our work. Here, our founder Anupama Hoskere captivates a young audience with tales from the Ramayana, using expressive narration to make ancient stories accessible and exciting for children.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a4920962-f250-4c62-be85-11e543998a28)
- ![A glimpse of our string puppets on stage. Each character is handcrafted with unique costumes and expressions, ready to enact scenes from timeless Indian stories. This showcases the vibrant theatricality of our traditional puppet shows.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/92afa5f5-8a63-418c-8721-4033cdef464e)
- ![Our "Parent & Me" workshop is designed for our youngest creators, ages 2 to 5. This poster highlights one of our most popular sessions where parents and toddlers can bond while making simple, charming finger puppets together.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/342c59ad-2e42-4480-9383-e7de996d6d50)
- ![We are deeply honored that our founder director, Smt. Anupama Hoskere, was conferred the Padma Shri award. This recognition fuels our commitment to preserving and sharing the art of puppetry.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6c10a1f9-8360-41b5-9d06-b03c88e5c434)
- ![We teach you how to create your own stage. This simple wooden puppet theater, with a hand-painted backdrop for a Panchatantram story, shows how you can bring the magic of puppetry into your own home after attending our workshops.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/433c4fa2-216f-47d7-9dcf-4afc152d54e2)

## Meet your expert

### My story

We are Dhaatu Puppet Theater, a family-run bunch. I’m Anupama, started out as an engineer, but puppets called me. My husband Vidyashankar keeps things solid behind the scenes, while my daughters jump in on stage. Since 2004, we’ve been chasing the magic of Bharat’s stories. Our puppet museum in Bengaluru is a wild mix of old and new. Got the Padma Shri this year – felt huge, but really, it’s for puppetry, not just me.

### My work

- **Our Offerings**: We do puppet shows, workshops for all ages, storytelling, festivals, doll exhibitions, and run a puppet museum in Bengaluru.
- **Epic Puppet Shows**: Stories from the Ramayana, Bhakta Prahlada, and more. Shows in English, Hindi, sometimes Samskritam. Not just fun – it’s culture.
- **Workshops for Kids & Adults**: Summer camps, parent-child sessions, and Pavakathakali hand puppet workshops. We teach everyone who’s curious.
- **Festivals & Events**: Dhaatu International Puppet Festival and Puppet Santhe. Big gatherings, museum tours, hands-on workshops, loads of energy.
- **Dhaatu Puppet Museum**: Curated puppet collection from India and abroad. School groups, families – all welcome to dive into the magic.