The Art of Indian Puppetry and Storytelling
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.
About this collection
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.
Our work at Dhaatu spans from intimate private gatherings to large-scale productions. If you are planning an event, our traditional shows run for 60 minutes and include everything from the portable black-box stage to the professional audio soundtrack. For larger gatherings, we offer our Magnum Opus productions featuring live dancers and elaborate sets.
Beyond the stage, we invite you to visit our Mandala Cultural Centre near the Silk Institute Metro. This is where we host our museum tours and interactive workshops, including our annual Navaratra Mahotsava which displays over 5,000 dolls. We believe that puppetry is a living language. Whether it is a session for students, a school tour, or a private family gathering, we focus on making our ancient heritage accessible and engaging. We invite you to step into our space to learn, watch, and participate in the vibrant culture of our traditions.
Dhaatu Puppet Theater
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.
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