--- title: "Dhaatu Puppet Theater Founder: Anupama Hoskere's Artistry" description: "Discover the artistic journey of Padma Shri awardee Anupama Hoskere, the founder of Dhaatu Puppet Theater. Explore her passion for Indian puppetry traditions." canonical: https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/our-founder-our-pride last_updated: 2025-09-07 --- # Dhaatu Puppet Theater Founder: The Artistry of Anupama Hoskere Tribe Verified · Padma Shri winning traditional puppetry ensemble 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) 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. ## Photos and videos - [Video: Our founder, Smt. Anupama Hoskere, extends a personal invitation to attend a performance of 'Vijayanagara Vaibhava' at the Vijayanagara Utsava.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0ee9cb4b-7f88-44d1-ab0a-a84fcf77d82a) - ![Smt. Anupama Hoskere receiving the Shivaratri Utsava Award from Union Minister Smt. Shobha Karandlaje, an honor shared with other stalwart artists of Bengaluru.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/12f6a958-85ad-4c1c-bd34-d8dd63b492e4) - [Video: A video from the Ministry of Culture celebrating Smt. Anupama Hoskere as a master puppeteer and winner of the Padma Shri 2024.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3697564c-04c5-42b5-899a-a9fd3e81f75f) - ![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.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6507d133-76a3-489f-a309-492c121e7890) - ![Another moment from the Shivaratri Utsava award ceremony, where Smt. Anupama Hoskere is being honored for her contributions to art and culture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/85ddd4a3-2a70-4bd0-9954-c5ff23854f22) - ![Smt. Anupama Hoskere presenting an award to another artist at the Shivaratri Utsava, celebrating the achievements of the entire artistic community.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/868146d2-2889-4031-a461-58d7ea58ac0a) - [Video: Video of the moment Smt. Anupama Hoskere received the Padma Shri award from the Honorable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8e0ed975-0e7c-4034-8354-eb428b16866e) - [Video: Smt. Anupama Hoskere at the STREE 2024 National Conference, an event celebrating 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) - ![A proud moment as Smt. Anupama Hoskere is honored on stage at the Shivaratri Utsava in Malleshwaram.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f1da2b90-2fc6-4dcb-a68e-fc6872495a1c) ## 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. The soul of Dhaatu is our founder-director, Smt. Anupama Hoskere. Since 2004, she has moved beyond just performing; she has become a dedicated guardian of our intangible heritage. Her work, formally recognized with the Padma Shri in 2024, reflects a deep commitment to the ancient treatise on performing arts, the Natyashastra. Whether it is a grand performance of 'Vijayanagara Vaibhava' or an intimate 'Panchatantra' session, the attention to detail is absolute. From the hand-carved wooden puppets to the authentic costumes, every element is designed to pull the audience into a different world. We do not just stage shows; we create immersive experiences that explain history, ethics, and culture. Anupama’s influence extends into the workshops we run, where the goal is to pass this knowledge to the next generation. Whether you are hosting a cultural festival, a school event, or a private celebration, engaging with Dhaatu means you are bringing that same level of artistic rigor and dedication to your own space. ## About Dhaatu Puppet Theater 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. [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) - [Behind the Curtains: Our Creative Process](https://mytribe.in/dhaatupuppettheater/puppet-shows-performances/behind-the-curtains-our-creative-process) - [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) - [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 - [The Art and Vision of Anupama Hoskere](https://mytribe.in/anupamahoskere/puppetry-performances-cultural-shows/the-artist-and-her-vision) by Dhaatu · Puppetry Performances & Cultural Shows · Shows at Mandala Cultural Centre; Travels across Bengaluru and India - [Our Family Legacy in Indian Puppetry](https://mytribe.in/satyajitpadhye/puppetry-for-film-tv-advertising/a-family-legacy-in-puppetry) by Satyajit Padhye · Puppetry for Film, TV & Advertising · Studio in Chembur; Travels for shoots across India - [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 - [Awards and Legacy of Acharya Jayalakshmi Eshwar](https://mytribe.in/jayalakshmi.eshwar/choreography-dance-production/awards-legacy-recognition) by Jayalakshmi Eshwar · Choreography & Dance Production · Takes projects across India; Studio at Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi - [Featured Kathputli Performances and Heritage Artistry](https://mytribe.in/aakaar_puppet/rajasthani-puppet-shows-kathputli/featured) by Aakaar Puppet Theatre · Rajasthani Puppet Shows (Kathputli) · Performs puppet shows across India - [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 ## Book To book Dhaatu Puppet Theater, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I%20am%20interested%20in%20Dhaatu%20Puppet%20Theater.%20I%20would%20like%20to%20know%20more%20about%20booking%20a%20show.)