--- title: "Anupama Hoskere: Padma Shri Winner Leading Indian Puppet Art" description: "Discover the work of Padma Shri Anupama Hoskere, founder of Dhaatu. Explore her commitment to traditional puppet art and cultural education in Bengaluru." canonical: https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs/our-founder-a-leader-in-art-and-culture last_updated: 2025-09-07 --- # Anupama Hoskere: A Life Dedicated to Indian Puppet Art Tribe Verified · Padma Shri 2024 awardee in Art. By [Dhaatu Puppet Theater](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater) · Tours at Mandala Cultural Centre, Bengaluru · ₹100 per person (estimate) Part of [Museum Tours & Educational Programs](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs/gallery) From engineering to the stage, my journey is driven by the mission to preserve the knowledge systems of Bharat through the living art of puppetry. ## Photos and videos - [Video: This video, shared by the Ministry of Culture, highlights my work in puppetry and my recognition as a Padma Shri awardee. It shows me receiving the award from the Honorable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3697564c-04c5-42b5-899a-a9fd3e81f75f) - ![A screenshot of the official announcement from the President of India's office, conferring the Padma Shri in the field of Art. This award acknowledges the work done at Dhaatu to curate a unique collection of puppets from India and the world.](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 Honorable President of India. This was a deeply moving experience that affirmed my lifelong commitment to the art of puppetry.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8e0ed975-0e7c-4034-8354-eb428b16866e) - ![Receiving the Shivaratri Utsava Award at a wonderful gathering in Malleshwaram. It is always a privilege to be honored 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 photograph from the Shivaratri Utsava award ceremony, capturing the moment of receiving the honor. Such events bring together the artistic community and celebrate our collective contributions.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f1da2b90-2fc6-4dcb-a68e-fc6872495a1c) - ![Being felicitated at the Shivaratri Utsava organized by the Dr. Ashwathnarayana foundation. Community support and recognition are vital for the arts to thrive.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/85ddd4a3-2a70-4bd0-9954-c5ff23854f22) - ![Presenting an award to a fellow artist at the Shivaratri Utsava. Celebrating the achievements of others is just as important as receiving honors oneself.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/868146d2-2889-4031-a461-58d7ea58ac0a) - ![At a national conference at MNIT, Bhopal. I was happy to find that my presentation on the technical and contemporary perspectives of puppetry stirred a lot of interest among scientists and entrepreneurs.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b70e79be-45c9-456c-b64c-1577976823d6) - [Video: A short video from the STREE 2024 National Conference & Expo in Bhopal, where I spoke on the role of 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) - ![Speaking at the Dhaatu International Puppet Festival on the topic of 'Puppet Traditions and Innovations'. Sharing the stage with scholars and artists from around the world is always an enriching experience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f2e6054c-84b8-49b6-9684-158f2d977637) - ![An international participant from Austria speaking at our conference. Our festivals bring together a global community of puppeteers and academics to exchange ideas and innovations.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/46125f78-3352-4677-b693-d12b7fa355b6) - ![Smt. Padmini Rangarajan from Hyderabad presenting her work on innovative puppetry and virtual theatre during our international festival.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9f79c00c-9a3f-48a1-99b8-552be10988f6) - ![The audience, including myself and other speakers, listening intently during a presentation at the Dhaatu International Puppet Festival. These sessions are a wonderful learning opportunity for everyone.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b0b96c1b-559f-432f-964d-82becb1a6431) - ![International guests and participants at our 2023 puppet festival conference. The diverse audience reflects the global interest in Indian puppetry traditions.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f6ec938e-899c-49e7-ae22-6d6a17c57987) - ![Speaking at the conference on 'Puppet Traditions and Innovations'. I believe it is crucial to discuss both the history and the future of our art form.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fb18192f-afe9-4bf0-a993-99dd35777e8e) ## About Our Founder: A Leader in Art and Culture Beyond the stage, I spend much of my time at national and international forums, ensuring the technical and cultural nuances of puppetry are preserved and understood by new generations. Whether it is a panel discussion on traditional knowledge systems or a hands-on workshop at our Bengaluru center, my focus remains on bridging the gap between ancient heritage and modern curiosity. My work with Dhaatu is about more than just entertainment. It is a long-term commitment to keeping our oral traditions and epics alive through the mechanics of puppet theater. Receiving the Padma Shri in 2024 was a profound honor, but it is a recognition of the entire art form rather than just my personal effort. I regularly engage with diverse groups—from scientists and researchers at technical institutes like MNIT Bhopal to university students seeking cultural immersion. These interactions allow me to discuss the contemporary relevance of traditional puppetry. Whether I am speaking at an international festival about puppet innovations or leading a 'karyagara' (workshop) at our Mandala Cultural Centre, the goal is always the same: to show that puppets are not just for children, but are sophisticated vessels of history, philosophy, and craft. If you are interested in exploring how we keep these systems alive, I invite you to join our heritage sessions or visit the Dhaatu Puppet Museum. It is a space where the old world meets the new, and I am always happy to share the stories behind our 5,000-plus exhibits. ## About Dhaatu Puppet Theater I am Anupama, an engineer who found my true calling in the strings of puppets. My family and I run Dhaatu in Bengaluru, where we turn ancient epics into living art through our shows, museum, and dedicated research. [See all of Dhaatu Puppet Theater's services](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater) ## More from Museum Tours & Educational Programs by Dhaatu Puppet Theater - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs/featured) - [Dhaatu Navarātra Mahotsava: A World of Dolls](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs/dhaatu-navar-tra-mahotsava-a-world-of-dolls) - [Live Puppet Theatre](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs/live-puppet-theatre) - [Educational Programs & Workshops](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs/educational-programs-workshops) - [From Our Store](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs/from-our-store) - [Event Announcements & Schedules](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/museum-tours-educational-programs/event-announcements-schedules) ## More services by Dhaatu Puppet Theater - [Puppet Shows & Performances](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances) - [Cultural Festivals & Exhibitions](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/cultural-festivals-exhibitions) - [Puppetry & Craft Workshops](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppetry-craft-workshops) ## Similar work from other experts - [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 - [Artistic Recognition and Guru Parampara](https://mytribe.in/sharatprabhath/choreography-music-composition/recognition-guru-parampara) by Sharat Prabhath · Choreography & Music Composition · Studio in Jayanagar; Available across India - [Dr. Shivam Mishra’s Yoga Philosophy and Recognition](https://mytribe.in/skmyoga/group-corporate-yoga-programs/our-founder-events-recognition) by SKM Yoga · Group & Corporate Yoga Programs · Available online, across NCR, and at studios in Noida, Delhi & Dubai - [Our Legacy: Awards and Guru Parampara](https://mytribe.in/nirupama_rajendra/dance-training-programs/our-legacy-awards-the-guru-parampara) by Nirupama Rajendra · Dance Training Programs · Classes online and at studio in Basavanagudi - [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 - [Meet the Founder & Our Artists](https://mytribe.in/shrotahouse/on-site-music-workshops-events/meet-the-founder-our-artists) by ShrotaHouse · On-site Music Workshops & Events · On-site service across Bengaluru ## Book To book Dhaatu Puppet Theater, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I'm%20looking%20for%20Museum%20Tours%20%26%20Educational%20Programs%20by%20Dhaatu%20Puppet%20Theater.) 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