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Dhaatu Puppet Theater Founder: The Artistry of Anupama Hoskere

byDhaatu Puppet TheaterShows at theaters in Bengaluru; Travels across India for eventsStarts from₹100 per personView full gallery

Smt. Anupama Hoskere’s vision turns puppetry into a vibrant window into Indian heritage. Her dedication to this art form, recognized with a Padma Shri, drives every performance and workshop we bring to life.

Our founder, Smt. Anupama Hoskere, extends a personal invitation to attend a performance of 'Vijayanagara Vaibhava' at the Vijayanagara Utsava.

Smt. Anupama Hoskere receiving the Shivaratri Utsava Award from Union Minister Smt. Shobha Karandlaje, an honor shared with other stalwart artists of Bengaluru.

A video from the Ministry of Culture celebrating Smt. Anupama Hoskere as a master puppeteer and winner of the Padma Shri 2024.

A tweet from the President of India announcing the Padma Shri award for Smt. Anupama Hoskere for her work in the field of Art as a master puppeteer.

Another moment from the Shivaratri Utsava award ceremony, where Smt. Anupama Hoskere is being honored for her contributions to art and culture.

Smt. Anupama Hoskere presenting an award to another artist at the Shivaratri Utsava, celebrating the achievements of the entire artistic community.

Video of the moment Smt. Anupama Hoskere received the Padma Shri award from the Honorable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu.

Smt. Anupama Hoskere at the STREE 2024 National Conference, an event celebrating women as conservators and propagators of Indian Knowledge Systems.

A proud moment as Smt. Anupama Hoskere is honored on stage at the Shivaratri Utsava in Malleshwaram.

About Our Founder & Our Pride

When you book a Dhaatu production, you aren't just getting a puppet show. You are seeing the culmination of years of research into the Natyashastra, meticulous puppet construction, and the specific, rigorous training Anupama ensures every puppeteer undergoes. It is a level of storytelling that honors the ancient traditions of Bharat while keeping modern audiences fully engaged.

Padma Shri winning traditional puppetry ensemble — Approved by the tribe
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Dhaatu Puppet Theater

Shows at theaters in Bengaluru; Travels across India for eventsStarts from ₹100 per person

I’m Anupama, and I started Dhaatu because puppets called me away from my engineering career. Now, my husband Vidyashankar and our family run this theater to share the magic of Bharat’s stories with everyone we meet.

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Here I am speaking at an event for International Women's Day, sharing my thoughts on the hidden potential of women in Bharata. I believe art is a powerful medium for empowerment and inspiration.
Another shot from the same event, where I had the opportunity to engage in wonderful interactions and share my passion for our cultural heritage.

The Art and Vision of Anupama Hoskere

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DhaatuShows at Mandala Cultural Centre; Travels across Bengaluru and India
This vintage photo shows my father, Ramdas Padhye, with the legendary actor Dev Anand and our family's century-old puppet, Ardhavatrao. It's a beautiful reminder of our long history in the world of entertainment.11
Another treasured photograph from the 1970s, capturing the moment my father met the great showman Raj Kapoor after a performance at the Filmfare Awards.

Our Family Legacy in Indian Puppetry

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Satyajit PadhyeStudio in Chembur; Travels for shoots across India
Receiving the 'Kalayogi Award' was a special moment, shared with esteemed artists and gurus. Such recognition encourages us to continue our work with even more dedication.4
Holding the 'Kalayogi Award 2022-23'. I am grateful to the Kalayogi Pratishtana for this honor and I dedicate it to my gurus, parents, and my entire Nrithyakuteera family.
A look at the official announcement for the Kalayogi award. It's an honor to be recognized among such talented and respected artists in the field of dance and music.
A group photograph with all the honored artists at the Kalayogi award ceremony. It was a wonderful evening celebrating art and the people who dedicate their lives to it.

Awards and Recognition for Bharatanatyam Excellence

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NrithyakuteeraTraining available at studios in Chamrajpet and JP Nagar
A deeply humbling moment, receiving the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi award for the year 2021 from the Honorable President of India. This is the highest national recognition for a performing artist.9
A portrait announcing the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. This honor is a testament to a lifetime of dedication to Bharatanatyam, and I am immensely grateful for it.
A collage I created as a humble tribute to my guru, Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale. The Sangeet Natak Akademi award I received is dedicated to her, my mentor, and to the institution of Kalakshetra.

Awards and Legacy of Acharya Jayalakshmi Eshwar

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Jayalakshmi EshwarTakes projects across India; Studio at Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi
It all begins here, with our hands and the strings. This is the connection that gives life to the wood and cloth, turning a puppet into a character with a soul. This is the heart of traditional Rajasthani string puppetry.7
A moment of pure energy on stage. Here, I am performing with a dancing puppet, lost in the story and the music. We bring this passion to every show, making the kathputli dance, fight, and fly.
Our full troupe with our giant puppets after a festival performance. We can create a grand spectacle for large events, filling the stage with colour, music, and characters of all sizes, from small dancers to towering kings.
This was the poster for our performance at the International Puppet Festival in Barcelona, Spain. Taking our Rajasthani folk art to the world is a great honour. It shows that stories told with heart have no language barrier.

Featured Kathputli Performances and Heritage Artistry

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Aakaar Puppet TheatrePerforms puppet shows across India
With my Guru, Pt. Rajendra Gangani, on Guru Poornima. To be able to learn from him in person is a blessing I am forever grateful for. His teachings are the light that guides my path.8
Humbled to receive the prestigious "Rajyothsava" award from the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI). Recognition from my home state is incredibly meaningful.
It was an honor to be bestowed with the title "Kala-PraPoorna" by the Shivapriya Institute and MS Natyakshetra. I am grateful for this encouragement of my work.

Artistic Recognition and Guru Parampara

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Sharat PrabhathStudio in Jayanagar; Available across India

More from Puppet Shows & Performances by Dhaatu Puppet Theater

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