Tribe Verified

The Art of Indian Puppetry and Storytelling

byDhaatu Puppet TheaterHosted at Mandala Cultural Centre, BengaluruStarts from₹100 Per Person (Min. 25 Pax)View full gallery

Welcome to the world of Dhaatu, where tradition meets performance. Explore our journey through the stories of Bharat, brought to life through string, rod, and shadow puppetry.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

About Featured

Whether you are looking for a private performance of traditional 'Sutrada Gombe Ata' string puppetry or a hands-on workshop at our Bengaluru center, we bring the stories of Bharat to life with care. Our setup is entirely self-contained for private events, meaning we bring the portable stage, professional audio, and artists so you can simply enjoy the performance.

Preserving Indian puppetry traditions since 2004. — Approved by the tribe
D

Dhaatu Puppet Theater

Hosted at Mandala Cultural Centre, BengaluruStarts from ₹100 Per Person (Min. 25 Pax)

I am Anupama, and along with my family and team, I have dedicated my life to keeping the magic of puppetry alive since 2004. We are not just performers; we are storytellers who believe that an ancient puppet can still teach us profound lessons about life today.

Similar work from other experts

Browse through Curated picks from other experts on mytribe

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.7
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.
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.

Traditional Puppetry and Cultural Performances

D
DhaatuShows at Mandala Cultural Centre; Travels across Bengaluru and India
There is nothing more priceless than this moment of connection. We see a child whispering a secret to one of our handmade puppets, a beautiful reminder of why we love bringing stories to life.7
We use all kinds of creative tools to tell our stories. Here, I am using simple paper cutouts and a pop-up book to create a world of waves and clouds during an interactive storytelling session.
Our workshops are completely hands-on. Here, a group of our putanis are learning the basics of controlling their very own marionette puppets, which they helped create themselves during a summer camp.
Bringing smiles to the pediatric oncology ward at St. John's hospital was one of our most memorable shows. Sharing stories in this space is a powerful reminder of how art can bring light and joy.

Puppet Theatre Performances and Creative Workshops

P
PuppeTreeWorkshops at your venue across Bengaluru
9

A Glimpse of My World: Behind the Scenes with Tickles & Tales

T
Tickles&TalesTravels to your venue across Bengaluru
With just our hands and a light, we create entire worlds. Here, you can see multiple hands from our family working together to bring a family of deer to life on the screen.6

Hand Shadowplay and Traditional Storytelling

P
Prahlad AcharyaTravels across India; Virtual shows available
The magic of a shadow puppet show. In a darkened room, simple shapes come to life, telling a story in a way that is both ancient and captivating for modern kids.34
A storyteller uses a Kamishibai box to tell a story about birds. The sliding panels create a sense of anticipation as each new scene is revealed.

Puppet Shows and Theatrical Storytelling Workshops

O
OurstoryshelfAttend Workshops at Rustam Bagh Layout, Bengaluru
When I step onto the stage, the story takes over. In this moment, during a keynote address at the Early Educators Summit, I am not just speaking. I am weaving a world with words, gestures, and shared breath, connecting with every soul in the room.8
The purest joy is seeing a story reflected in a child's eyes. Here, surrounded by curious young minds at the Fravashi Academy, I am sharing a tale with a puppet friend. This is where the magic is most real, in these moments of shared wonder and laughter.
Even in a formal setting like the IIM Bangalore Orators Club, a story can break down walls. This is me, lost in the telling, using my hands and heart to bring a narrative to life for an audience of academicians and entrepreneurs.

Interactive Storytelling Performances and Heritage Walks

G
Geeta RamanujamOnline, at BTM Layout studio, and events across India

Find what you are looking for

Search our puppet shows, workshops, and festival schedules.

Traditional puppet showChildren's puppet workshopPuppet museum tourDasara doll festivalSchool puppet showSutrada Gombe Ata

More from Cultural Festivals & Exhibitions by Dhaatu Puppet Theater

Dhaatu International Puppet FestivalDhaatu Navaratra MahotsavaOur Puppet ArtistryKalāmārga Nrityotsava: A Celebration of DanceLearn With Us: Workshops & Community EventsOur Founder & AccoladesEvent Schedules & Announcements

More services by Dhaatu Puppet Theater

Puppet Shows & PerformancesPuppetry & Craft WorkshopsMuseum Tours & Educational Programs
  1. Home
  2. Dhaatu Puppet Theater
  3. Cultural Festivals & Exhibitions
  4. Featured