Museum Tours & Educational Programs
Mandala Cultural Centre
We offer guided museum tours and educational programs where you can see, learn about, and interact with puppets from across India, with sessions for families, students, and groups.
Pricing Guide
Educational Group Museum Tour
Core Experience
- 1 hour entry to the Dhaatu Puppet Museum at Mandala Cultural Centre.
- Semi guided tour covering Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Vyuha formations.
- Viewing of over 5,000 traditional string, rod, shadow, and glove puppets.
Logistics
- 1 coordinator allocated per 50 students.
- Complimentary entry for accompanying faculty (1 per 15 to 20 students).
- Bus parking, restrooms, and drinking water access included.
Puppet Making Workshop & Museum Walk
Workshop Experience
- Puppet Kit provided with wood/paper mache head, fabrics, strings, paints, and beads.
- 60 to 90 minutes of hands on guidance by senior artists.
- Participants take home the puppet they create.
Museum Tour
- Detailed guided walkthrough of the museum collection.
- 10 to 15 minute demonstration on maneuvering the created puppet.
- Total duration covers 2.5 to 3 hours.
Private Performance & Cultural Lecture
The Performance
- Dedicated 1 hour traditional string puppet performance.
- Includes professional stage setup, theater lighting, sound system, and live narration.
- Performed by 3 to 4 professional puppeteers.
Educational Session
- 20 minute lecture on the history of Indian puppetry traditions.
- Artist Q&A session regarding puppet mechanics.
- Hosted at the Mandala Cultural Centre main performance hall (non AC).
About Museum Tours & Educational Programs
A visit to our museum is not your regular day out. Here, every puppet and every scene is part of the bigger story of Bharat. I see this place as a bridge between old wisdom and curious minds of today.
What You’ll Find Here
- Puppets from all over India, each with a character. Some are from string, some rod, some just shadows on a wall.
- Scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and stories of Krishna. You’ll spot village life, temple towns, even moments from street corners that feel familiar.
- If you’re into art, you’ll see how every puppet is made differently, with its own technique and backstory.
Guided Tours & Group Visits
- For families and solo explorers: I lead interactive museum experiences almost every Saturday. It’s relaxed but packed with stories and things you can touch, see, and ask about.
- Schools and colleges: Our heritage storytelling sessions are quite popular. These visits are structured, with puppet shows and space for 25 to 200 students at once.
- University students: We offer cultural immersion tours, sometimes even for international students, where we go deeper into Indian art and heritage.
Festival Time
During Dhaatu Navarātra Mahotsava and Dhaatu Puppet Santhe, the whole place comes alive. If you drop in then, expect a totally different vibe—lots more energy, special displays, and sometimes, surprises.
Meet your Expert
Dhaatu Puppet Theater
22 connects in last 3 months
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.
