Authentic Indian Puppet Shows and Museum Exhibits
At Dhaatu, we bridge ancient wisdom with today's stories. Explore the intricate artistry of traditional puppetry through our living museum, live stage shows, and heritage workshops.
This is the essence of our craft. Two traditional string puppets, brought to life on stage, enact a scene from one of our classical Indian stories. Notice the detailed costumes and expressive features, each designed to convey deep emotion and narrative.
A view of our annual Dhaatu Navarātra Mahotsava. The entire hall is transformed into a landscape of stories, with thousands of dolls arranged in intricate dioramas that depict scenes from our epics and the vibrant life of Bharat.
Storytelling is a sacred act for me. Here, I am sharing tales from the Ramayana with an audience of all ages, connecting the wisdom of ancient texts to the curious minds of today. These sessions are an interactive part of our museum experience.
We welcome learners from across the globe. In this photo, I am guiding students from Creighton University, USA, and St. Joseph's College, Bengaluru, through the museum as part of their India immersion program, explaining the history of puppetry.
Witness the devotion and artistry in this clip from our Ramlalla puppet show. The gentle rocking of the cradle and the traditional lullaby create a moment of pure rasānanda, or aesthetic bliss, celebrating a pivotal moment in the Ramayana.
It was a moment of immense pride and humility to be conferred the Padma Shri for my contributions to the field of art. This recognition strengthens my resolve to preserve and propagate the rich tradition of Indian puppetry for future generations.
Our performances showcase diverse puppetry forms. Here, artists demonstrate Tholpavakoothu, the art of shadow puppetry from Kerala, where leather puppets are used to narrate stories from the epics against a backlit screen.
About Featured
When I perform, I am not just manipulating strings. I am keeping our cultural narratives alive. Whether you are exploring our collection of over 5,000 puppets or watching a scene from the Ramayana unfold on stage, you are stepping into a centuries-old tradition that makes ancient wisdom accessible to our modern lives.
We built the Dhaatu Puppet Museum here in Bengaluru as a space where Bharat’s stories breathe. We house over 5,000 puppets, ranging from string and rod to shadow figures, each preserving a technique passed down through generations.
Museum Visits & Education
Wander through detailed dioramas depicting the Ramayana and Mahabharata. We host curated tours for schools, universities, and families, turning a simple visit into an immersive exploration of our heritage. These sessions are designed to engage curious minds, offering a tangible connection to our history.
Live Performances
Our shows, including productions like our Ramlalla performance, are built on the principle of rasānanda, or aesthetic bliss. We perform in English, Hindi, and Samskritam to ensure these stories remain a shared language across communities. We use traditional puppetry forms like Tholpavakoothu (shadow puppetry) to bring epic legends to life.
Workshops & Outreach
We believe knowledge must be shared. Our karyagara (workshops) allow you to pick up the craft yourself. You will learn to manipulate puppets and understand the rhythm of storytelling that has sustained our culture for thousands of years. From beginner sessions for children to deep-dive cultural immersion for international students, we have a space for everyone interested in the art of the puppet.
Dhaatu Puppet Theater
I am Anupama Hoskere, and for the last two decades, puppets have been my life’s work. My family and I run Dhaatu not just as a theater, but as a home for India's incredible tradition of storytelling.
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