Historical and Devotional Puppet Sagas
Experience the grandeur of Bharat's history and the depth of its devotion. We bring legends of saints and empires to life through intricate string puppetry, dance, and traditional storytelling.
Behind the scenes of 'Giridhar Nagar Ki Meera', a production that blends dance and puppetry. Our artists are seen here preparing the puppets and rehearsing the choreography that brings the story of Meera Bai to life.
The cast and crew take a bow after a performance of 'Poetry in Puppetry' at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. This show is a curated collection of scenes from our most beloved productions.
A moment of reverence during our performance of 'Vijayanagara Vaibhava'. The play is a window into the golden era of the Vijayanagara kings, a time when art and culture flourished.
A single puppet commands the stage against the backdrop of the Gagan Mahal, representing the grandeur of the Vijayanagara empire. The intricate stage design is as much a character in the story as the puppets themselves.
A live performance of 'Giridhar Naagar Ki Meera' at the Meera Mahotsav in Dwaraka, Gujarat. Here, a dancer performs alongside the puppet of Lord Krishna, creating a beautiful dialogue between the human and the divine.
Another scene from 'Giridhar Naagar Ki Meera', where a dancer interacts with multiple puppets on stage. This dynamic interplay is a unique feature of our storytelling style.
A captivated audience watches our performance at the Meera Mahotsav in Gujarat. Our shows are designed to engage viewers of all ages, from young students to seasoned art lovers.
The full stage setup for 'Vijayanagara Vaibhava' in front of the historic Gagan Mahal in Anegundi. Performing in such a historically significant location adds a powerful layer of authenticity to the story.
A puppeteer and a puppet share an embrace in a poignant scene from 'Poetry in Puppetry'. This image captures the deep emotional connection that defines our performances.
Our stage for 'Vijayanagara Vaibhava' is set against the magnificent Gagan Mahal at night. The illuminated palace provides a breathtaking backdrop for our historical saga.
About Historical & Devotional Sagas
These productions are full-scale theatrical experiences that go beyond simple puppetry. We integrate live music, intricate stagecraft, and sometimes dance to retell the lives of saints and kings. Whether you need a 60-minute performance for a private celebration or an auditorium-grade spectacle, our team manages the entire production setup, from transport to lighting design, to ensure the narrative's depth is preserved.
Bringing Our Epics to Life
Our historical and devotional sagas are designed to connect modern audiences with the wisdom of the past. When we perform the life of Meera Bai or the history of the Vijayanagara empire, we aren't just manipulating puppets—we are engaging in a dialogue between the human and the divine.
We use Sutrada Gombe (traditional string puppetry), which allows for the expressive, fluid movements required to depict devotion and royalty. This is often paired with classical music and dance, creating a multi-layered sensory experience.
Types of Productions
- Grand Epic Theatricals: For larger venues and festivals, we stage complex productions like Vijayanagara Vaibhava or Ramayana Saptaswara. These include 50–100+ puppets, elaborate stage sets, and professional lighting to recreate historical grandeur.
- Intimate Devotional Narratives: Productions like Giridhar Naagar Ki Meera or Chudala are often presented in smaller, more focused settings where the focus is on the poetic and spiritual content of the story.
Why Choose Dhaatu for Your Event?
- Authenticity: Our puppets are crafted using traditional techniques with authentic textiles and jewelry, ensuring they look the part of characters from history.
- Professional Setup: We bring our own proscenium stages, backdrops, and sound systems. For grand productions, we handle the technical lighting and staging logistics required for auditorium environments.
- Educational Value: These shows are popular with schools and cultural organisations because they offer a visceral way to learn about Indian history and philosophy, from the Treta Yuga to the medieval period.
Dhaatu Puppet Theater
I’m Anupama Hoskere, and for us at Dhaatu, puppetry is a way to share the wisdom tucked away in our epics. We are a family-run group of puppeteers and dancers who believe these ancient stories from the Ramayana to the Vijayanagara era still have something to say today.
Looking for a specific cultural experience?
You can search for puppet shows by theme, age group, or specific traditional art forms.
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