--- title: "Dhaatu Puppet Theater: Padma Shri Awarded Traditional Puppetry Arts" description: "Discover the artistry behind Dhaatu Puppet Theater. Led by Padma Shri recipient Anupama Hoskere, we bring Indian epics to life through traditional puppetry, workshops, and immersive cultural experiences in Bengaluru." canonical: https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/cultural-festivals-exhibitions/our-founder-accolades last_updated: 2025-09-07 --- # Honoring Our Heritage Through Puppetry Tribe Verified · 2024 Padma Shri recipient for Art By [Dhaatu Puppet Theater](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater) · Hosted at Mandala Cultural Centre, Bengaluru · ₹100 Per Person (Min. 25 Pax) (estimate) Part of [Cultural Festivals & Exhibitions](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/cultural-festivals-exhibitions). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/cultural-festivals-exhibitions/gallery) A look into the journey, recognition, and the artistic mission that fuels Dhaatu Puppet Theater’s commitment to Indian storytelling. ## Photos and videos - ![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) - [Video: A video from the Ministry of Culture celebrating my journey as a master puppeteer and recipient of the Padma Shri award in 2024. It highlights our work in preserving this rich tradition of Bharat.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3697564c-04c5-42b5-899a-a9fd3e81f75f) - ![A screenshot of the announcement from the President of India's official account, presenting the Padma Shri in the field of Art to me. A truly proud moment for Dhaatu and the art of puppetry.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6507d133-76a3-489f-a309-492c121e7890) - [Video: The moment I received the Padma Shri award from the Honourable President of India. This award is a testament to the tireless work of our entire team and the enduring power of our cultural heritage.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8e0ed975-0e7c-4034-8354-eb428b16866e) - ![Receiving the Shivaratri Utsava Award from the Honourable Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje. It was a privilege to be honoured alongside other stalwart artists and achievers of Bengaluru.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/12f6a958-85ad-4c1c-bd34-d8dd63b492e4) - ![A wide view of the stage during the Shivaratri Utsava award ceremony, organized by the Dr. Ashwathnarayana foundation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/81bc8116-6fde-45cf-9212-ee058f183995) - ![Being felicitated on stage at the Shivaratri Utsava in Malleshwaram. It was a wonderful gathering of artists and cultural patrons.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/85ddd4a3-2a70-4bd0-9954-c5ff23854f22) - ![Presenting an award to another artist at the Shivaratri Utsava. Celebrating the achievements of fellow artists is an important part of building our cultural community.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/868146d2-2889-4031-a461-58d7ea58ac0a) - ![A moment of honour at the Shivaratri Utsava award ceremony. Such recognition from the community is always a great source of encouragement.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f1da2b90-2fc6-4dcb-a68e-fc6872495a1c) - ![At a conference at MNIT, Bhopal. It was a wonderful gathering of scientists and entrepreneurs, and my presentation on puppetry stirred a lot of interest, which made me very happy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b70e79be-45c9-456c-b64c-1577976823d6) - [Video: A short video from the National Conference & Expo 'Stree 2024' in Bhopal, where I was invited to speak. The event focused on women as conservators and propagators of Indian Knowledge Systems.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dd920cbd-f12f-468a-a61a-0923da51b4fc) ## About Our Founder & Accolades While receiving the Padma Shri was a proud milestone, for us, it is truly a recognition of the art of puppetry itself. It validates the twenty years our family has spent reviving traditional techniques and bringing stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata to contemporary audiences, ensuring this heritage continues to breathe and evolve. When I started Dhaatu in 2004, the path was not always clear, but the calling was. Transitioning from an engineering background into the world of traditional puppetry—or 'Sutrada Gombe Ata'—meant embracing a discipline that is as much about mechanical precision as it is about narrative depth. My husband Vidyashankar and our daughters have been the bedrock of this journey, managing the daily realities of keeping an ancient art form relevant in modern Bengaluru. Being recognized with the Padma Shri in 2024 is humbling, but it is not a destination. It is a responsibility. Whether I am presenting at national conferences on Indian Knowledge Systems, hosting workshops for school children, or curating thousands of dolls for our annual Navaratra Mahotsava, the goal remains the same: sharing the wisdom of our epics. Puppetry allows us to preserve stories from the Upanishads and Puranas in a way that resonates with both children and adults. We invite you to be part of this legacy, whether by attending a performance at our Mandala Cultural Centre or joining us for a behind-the-scenes museum tour to see how these stories are crafted. ## About Dhaatu Puppet Theater I am Anupama, an engineer-turned-puppeteer who found my true calling in the rhythm of traditional strings. Alongside my family, I lead Dhaatu in bringing the heart of our epics to life, one puppet at a time. [See all of Dhaatu Puppet Theater's services](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater) ## More from Cultural Festivals & Exhibitions by Dhaatu Puppet Theater - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/cultural-festivals-exhibitions/featured) - [Dhaatu International Puppet Festival](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/cultural-festivals-exhibitions/dhaatu-international-puppet-festival) - [Dhaatu Navaratra Mahotsava](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/cultural-festivals-exhibitions/dhaatu-navaratra-mahotsava) - [Our Puppet Artistry](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/cultural-festivals-exhibitions/our-puppet-artistry) - [Kalāmārga Nrityotsava: A Celebration of Dance](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/cultural-festivals-exhibitions/kal-m-rga-nrityotsava-a-celebration-of-dance) - [Learn With Us: Workshops & Community Events](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/cultural-festivals-exhibitions/learn-with-us-workshops-community-events) - [Event Schedules & Announcements](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/cultural-festivals-exhibitions/event-schedules-announcements) ## More services by Dhaatu Puppet Theater - [Puppet Shows & Performances](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances) - [Puppetry & Craft Workshops](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppetry-craft-workshops) - [Museum Tours & Educational Programs](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs) ## Similar work from other experts - [The Art and Vision of Anupama Hoskere](https://mytribe.in/anupamahoskere/puppetry-performances-cultural-shows/the-artist-and-her-vision) by Dhaatu · Puppetry Performances & Cultural Shows · Shows at Mandala Cultural Centre; Travels across Bengaluru and India - [Awards and Recognition for Bharatanatyam Excellence](https://mytribe.in/nrithyadeepa/arangetram-rangapravesha-gejjepuje-training/awards-and-recognition) by Nrithyakuteera · Arangetram / Rangapravesha & Gejjepuje Training · Training available at studios in Chamrajpet and JP Nagar - [Our Journey in Art: Awards and Recognition](https://mytribe.in/nirupama_rajendra/classical-dance-performances-productions/a-legacy-of-art-awards-recognition) by Nirupama Rajendra · Classical Dance Performances & Productions · Available for shows in Bengaluru and across India - [Stories, Theatre, and Folk Dance Performances](https://mytribe.in/snehakappanna/theatre-storytelling-workshops/featured) by Sneha Kappanna · Theatre, Storytelling & Workshops · Workshops in JP Nagar & shows across Bengaluru - [The Artist's Journey: Lineage, Inspiration & Accolades](https://mytribe.in/sharatprabhath/classical-indian-performances-productions/the-artist-s-journey-lineage-inspiration-accolades) by Sharat Prabhath · Classical Indian Performances & Productions · Based in Jayanagar; Travels across India for shows - [Bharatanatyam Student Recitals & Performances by Ambalam Foundation](https://mytribe.in/indirakadambi/bharatanatyam-performance-choreography/the-ambalam-legacy-our-students-on-stage) by Indira Kadambi · Bharatanatyam Performance & Choreography · Based in Jigani, Bengaluru; Travels across India for shows ## Book To book Dhaatu Puppet Theater, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I%20am%20interested%20in%20learning%20more%20about%20Dhaatu%20Puppet%20Theater%20and%20your%20upcoming%20events%20or%20museum%20tours.)