Our Traditional Puppet Artistry and Heritage Stories
At Dhaatu, we believe puppets are living storytellers that hold the heart of Bharat’s ancient epics. From the intricate string work of Sutrada Gombe Ata to shadow puppetry, we bring these timeless tales to life through craft and performance.
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.
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.
A preview of the 'Ramayan - Ravanchhaya' shadow puppet show from Odiya, India's black and white shadow theatre. This art form uses opaque puppets to create dramatic and powerful silhouettes.
A dancer performs as part of our 'Vijayanagara Vaibhava' production, which combines puppetry with live dance and music. This multimedia approach creates a rich and immersive theatrical experience.
An audience of children captivated by a puppet show at the Vijayanagara Utsava. It is always heartwarming to see the next generation connecting with these timeless stories.
Another view of the audience engrossed in the 'Vijayanagara Vaibhava' performance. The magic of puppetry transcends age.
The grand stage for our 'Vijayanagara Vaibhava' show, set up in front of the historic Gagan Mahal in Anegundi. The backdrop adds a layer of authenticity and grandeur to the performance.
About this collection
Our puppetry performances are self-contained productions that require a 15x10 ft covered area and approximately two hours for setup. Whether it is a traditional string performance of the Ramayana or a large-scale theatrical production, our team arrives with all necessary equipment, including portable audio and stage lighting, to ensure a seamless experience for your private event or gathering.
Our work centers on reviving and sustaining Indian puppetry, primarily focusing on the Sutrada Gombe Ata (string puppetry) of Karnataka. We treat puppetry as a medium for sharing cultural knowledge systems rather than just entertainment.
Diverse Puppet Styles
We specialize in several distinct forms:
- Sutrada Gombe Ata: Traditional string puppetry that requires immense coordination between the puppeteer and the puppet's movements to narrate epics like the Ramayana or Mahabharata.
- Shadow Puppetry: Our performances include Tholpavakoothu and Ravanchhaya, where silhouettes cast against a screen create a mystical, monochromatic storytelling experience.
- Modern Integration: We frequently blend classical puppetry with live dance and music, as seen in our production 'Vijayanagara Vaibhava', to create a rich, immersive theatrical experience.
Educational & Private Experiences
Beyond public shows, we offer workshops and museum tours at our Mandala Cultural Centre near the Silk Institute Metro. We believe in the pedagogical value of puppetry, which is why we run Karyagara (workshops) to teach participants the craft of puppet making.
Our private booking packages are designed to bring the theater to you. We handle all logistics—from the portable black-box stage structure to the high-quality pre-recorded soundtracks that ensure dialogue consistency. If you are looking for a unique educational or cultural centerpiece for an event, we provide a structured approach to storytelling that is suitable for all ages.
Dhaatu Puppet Theater
We are a family-run theater dedicated to the magic of Bharat’s stories. I am Anupama, and alongside my team, I have spent years perfecting the craft of puppetry to ensure our ancient epics continue to breathe life into the modern stage.
Find the right puppet experience
Let us help you discover specific performances or workshops.
More from Cultural Festivals & Exhibitions by Dhaatu Puppet Theater