--- title: "Behind the Curtains: Traditional Puppet Theater Process in Bangalore" description: "Discover the intricate process behind Dhaatu Puppet Theater in Bangalore. From Sutrada Gombe string puppetry to staging epic Indian tales, learn how we create." canonical: https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/behind-the-curtains-our-creative-process last_updated: 2025-09-07 --- # Behind the Curtains: Our Puppet Theater Creative Process Tribe Verified · Preserving traditional puppetry since 2004 By [Dhaatu Puppet Theater](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater) · Shows at theaters in Bengaluru; Travels across India for events · ₹100 per person (estimate) Part of [Puppet Shows & Performances](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/gallery) Step into our workshop and rehearsal space to see how we bring Bharat’s ancient stories to life, from crafting each string puppet to the final choreography. ## Photos and videos - [Video: The puppets of 'Ramayana Saptaswara' await their turn backstage. This video shows the sheer number and variety of characters involved in our large-scale production, ready for rehearsal.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/06e97dc8-6dc3-4f25-846c-7e7d58e52eba) - ![Our founder, Anupama Hoskere, demonstrates the manipulation of a string puppet during a rehearsal. Her hands guide the puppet's every move, breathing life and emotion into the character.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4df45fe8-782b-4260-9c09-7e44dfa44b44) - ![A puppeteer's view from above the stage. This unique perspective shows the skill required to manage the strings of a puppet, ensuring fluid and expressive movements during the performance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6b8c2b78-a333-4dc5-818f-ab0d88c71b9d) - [Video: A video showing the many puppets used in our 'Ramayana Saptaswara' production. With 108 puppets, this show is a true extravaganza that requires immense preparation and coordination.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fba8fa33-bdb2-4151-92a3-f9523a40e5aa) ## About Behind the Curtains: Our Creative Process Bringing a show like Ramayana Saptaswara to the stage requires managing over 100 string puppets, each with its own set of movements, and coordinating a team of up to 12 puppeteers. We dedicate weeks to rehearsals, often in our Mandala Cultural Centre, ensuring that the silk costumes, traditional jewelry, and movement mechanics are perfectly aligned before the first curtain rises. ### The Technical Foundation Our stagecraft relies on the Sutrada Gombe tradition of Karnataka. It is not merely about pulling strings, but about precise weight distribution and tension control. For our portable proscenium stage, which we transport for private events, we focus on modular setups that can fit into various venue types while maintaining the theatrical integrity of a grand performance. ### The Rehearsal Cycle Rehearsals are where we synchronize the soundtrack, using pre-recorded dialogues and classical background scores, with the live manipulation of the puppets. For large-scale events, we deploy a team of 8 to 12 artists. This requires a 4 to 6 hour setup window, as we need to adjust lighting, ensure the multi-layered backdrops are secure, and verify that every puppet is rigged correctly for the specific scenes. ### Our Approach to Tradition Whether it is an intimate gathering or a large cultural festival, the preparation remains the same. We approach every booking as an opportunity to share the wisdom of our epics. By treating the setup as a critical part of the experience, we ensure that the puppets do not just move, but breathe life into the narratives we hold dear. If you are planning an event, understanding these logistics helps us deliver a seamless cultural experience. ## About Dhaatu Puppet Theater I am Anupama, an engineer-turned-puppeteer who found my calling in the magic of our stories. Along with my husband Vidyashankar and our daughters, I keep the traditions of Dhaatu alive, treating every puppet as a living storyteller that connects us to our heritage. [See all of Dhaatu Puppet Theater's services](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater) ## More from Puppet Shows & Performances by Dhaatu Puppet Theater - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/featured) - [Epic Tales on Strings](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/epic-tales-on-strings) - [Historical & Devotional Sagas](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/historical-devotional-sagas) - [The Magic of Shadow Puppetry](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/the-magic-of-shadow-puppetry) - [For the Young & Young at Heart](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/for-the-young-young-at-heart) - [Our Festivals & Cultural Celebrations](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/our-festivals-cultural-celebrations) - [Workshops, Conferences & Learning](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/workshops-conferences-learning) - [Our Founder & Our Pride](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/our-founder-our-pride) - [Event Announcements & Schedules](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/event-announcements-schedules) ## More services by Dhaatu Puppet Theater - [Cultural Festivals & Exhibitions](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/cultural-festivals-exhibitions) - [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 - [Behind the Scenes: The Making of Our Puppet Shows](https://mytribe.in/anupamahoskere/puppetry-performances-cultural-shows/behind-the-curtains-the-making-of-magic) by Dhaatu · Puppetry Performances & Cultural Shows · Shows at Mandala Cultural Centre; Travels across Bengaluru and India - [The Craft Behind Our Puppet Theatre](https://mytribe.in/puppetreetheatre/puppet-show-performances/behind-the-curtain-the-making-of) by PuppeTree · Puppet Show Performances · Performs at your venue in Bengaluru and travels across India - [Behind the Curtain: The Creative Process of Bharatanatyam](https://mytribe.in/adithya.pv/bharatanatyam-choreography/the-creative-process-behind-the-curtain) by Adithya · Bharatanatyam Choreography · Studio in NRI Layout; Travels across Bengaluru & India - [A Glimpse of My World: Behind the Scenes with Tickles & Tales](https://mytribe.in/aartikathpalia/storytelling-puppetry-workshops/a-glimpse-of-my-world) by Tickles&Tales · Storytelling & Puppetry Workshops · Travels to your venue across Bengaluru - [The Art of Creation: Our Creative Process](https://mytribe.in/nirupama_rajendra/classical-dance-performances-productions/the-art-of-creation-behind-the-scenes) by Nirupama Rajendra · Classical Dance Performances & Productions · Available for shows in Bengaluru and across India - [Behind the Scenes at Jagriti Theatre](https://mytribe.in/jagrititheatre/live-performances/the-making-of-magic-behind-the-scenes) by Jagriti Theatre · Live Performances · Live at Jagriti Theatre, Whitefield ## Book To book Dhaatu Puppet Theater, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20'Behind%20the%20Curtains'%20page%20and%20would%20like%20to%20know%20more%20about%20booking%20a%20puppet%20show%20for%20my%20event.)