Traditional Indian Puppet Shows in Bengaluru
Experience the timeless art of Sutrada Gombe and shadow puppetry. From epic Ramayana tales to interactive workshops, we bring India's ancient storytelling traditions to life.
This is the essence of our art, a moment of pure connection between the puppeteer and the puppet. Here, a performer embodies the devotion of Meera Bai, merging dance and puppetry to tell the story of the saint-poet in our production 'Giridhar Nagar Ki Meera'.
We bring the grand epic of the Ramayana to life through 'Ramayana Saptaswara', a spectacle featuring over 100 handcrafted string puppets. This collage captures scenes from the narrative, from the royal courts of Ayodhya to the dramatic encounters in the forest, showcasing the scale of our productions.
Experience the ancient and dramatic art of Ravanachhaya, the traditional shadow puppetry from Odisha. Using intricately cut leather puppets, we create a mesmerizing world of light and shadow to narrate powerful stories from the Ramayana.
The magic of our shows begins long before the curtain rises. This is a look into our creative space, where every puppet is meticulously prepared and rehearsals bring together generations of artists, including our youngest learners, to carry forward this beautiful tradition.
The joy and wonder on the faces of our audience, especially the children, is our greatest reward. This photo captures a moment of rapt attention during our 'Vijayanagara Vaibhava' show, where the history of a great empire unfolds before their eyes.
We are humbled and honored that our founder-director, Smt. Anupama Hoskere, was conferred the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors. This recognition fuels our commitment to preserving and propagating the art of puppetry.
A close-up look at the intricate details of our Sutrada Gombe, the traditional string puppets of Karnataka. Each puppet is a work of art, from the hand-painted faces to the carefully stitched costumes, designed to express a universe of emotions on stage.
A tender moment from our Ramayana production, as the queens rock the cradles of the infant princes Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. We use traditional lullabies in this scene to convey the love and joy of the royal family.
About Featured
We bring our own portable proscenium stage, meaning whether you host us at a school, a housing society, or a private venue, the production quality remains consistent. Our team of 3-4 puppeteers handles everything from the 60-minute performance to the backdrop setup, allowing you to focus entirely on the storytelling.
Our work is rooted in the traditional Sutrada Gombe style of Karnataka, but we believe in keeping these art forms living and breathing. When we perform a story like 'Mooshikaa Katha' or an epic saga like the 'Ramayana', we aren't just reciting lines; we are engaging in a conversation with the audience.
Why Choose Dhaatu for Your Event?
- Authentic Craft: Our puppets are handcrafted with traditional materials, including real silk, zari, and wood. You won't find generic props here.
- Interactive Education: We specialize in shows that bridge the gap for modern audiences. Whether it's children as young as two or adults curious about the Yogavasishta, our puppets have a way of capturing attention that screens simply cannot match.
- Production Flexibility: For smaller events and housing societies, we offer our classic 60-minute string puppet performances. For larger corporate or cultural gatherings, we can scale up to our Grand Epic productions, featuring over 100 puppets, complex lighting, and multi-layered sets that turn any venue into a theater.
We don't believe in keeping culture behind glass. While our museum at the Mandala Cultural Centre in Banashankari is a place to see history, our performance arm is designed to be mobile. We travel across Bengaluru and beyond to bring the wisdom of Bharat's stories directly to your community.
Dhaatu Puppet Theater
I’m Anupama, and my family and I have been chasing the magic of Bharat’s stories through puppetry since 2004. We aren't just performers; we are students of this tradition, constantly finding new ways to make our ancient epics speak to modern audiences.
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