Puppetry & Craft Workshops
Dhaatu Puppet Theater
We run hands-on puppetry and craft workshops where you make your own puppets, learn Indian storytelling, and take home both your creation and new skills.
Pricing Guide
Single Session Weekend Workshops
Workshop Details
- Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the specific puppet type chosen.
- Format: Interactive "Make & Take" session.
- Environment: Traditional floor seating on mats in a non AC, semi open cultural space.
Curriculum
- Techniques: Cutting card paper, jointing with split pins, or basic fabric stitching and tying.
- Skills: Instruction on puppet manipulation, movement, and voice modulation.
- Themes: Shadow Puppetry, Scarf/Finger Puppetry, or Parent & Me sessions.
Materials Provided
- Kit: Includes chart paper, fabric scraps, control sticks, and necessary stationery.
- Outcome: Participants take home their finished puppet.
7 Day Cultural Holiday Camps
Schedule
- Duration: 7 consecutive days (Monday to Sunday).
- Timing: 5 hours daily (10 AM to 3 PM), totaling ~35 hours.
Core Activities
- Academic: Oral storytelling of Ramayana or Mahabharata and learning specific Sanskrit Shlokas.
- Creative: Building character puppets, prop making, and coloring sessions.
- Rehearsal: Drama and movement practice for the final show.
Performance & Extras
- Showcase: Final stage performance by students using their created puppets.
- Supplies: Printed workbook, art materials, and board game sessions included.
- Food: Students expected to carry their own lunch and snacks.
Intensive Craft Masterclass
Scope & Timing
- Topics: Traditional Doll Decoration (1 Day) or Rod/Hand Puppet Making (2 to 3 Days).
- Timing: Full day engagement from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Guidance: Advanced instruction by master craftsmen or senior artists.
Professional Materials
- Base: Includes raw wooden doll (8 to 10 inch) or puppet head structure.
- Decor: Professional beads, stones, miniature costume fabrics, and enamel/acrylic paints.
- Tools: Access to chisels, brushes, and jewelry making tools.
Amenities & Theory
- Hospitality: Simple vegetarian lunch and tea/coffee provided.
- Theory: Guidelines on Natyashastra color theory and iconography.
About Puppetry & Craft Workshops
We see puppetry as more than just a show - it's a way to share stories, wisdom, and a bit of our culture. Our karyagara (workshops) are for anyone who wants to experience this, whether you’re a parent, a kid, or someone looking to dig deep into traditional puppet making.
For Kids & Parents
- Parent & Me: For ages 2-5, make finger puppets together. Simple, messy, lots of laughs. You’ll remember this.
- Hand & Shadow Puppets: Kids 5-10 get to craft their own puppets and put on mini shows. Sab kuch hands-on (everything is hands-on).
For Curious Learners
- Epic Story Workshops: For 7-14 year olds who love stories. We use Indian storytelling with puppets, drama, and dance to bring Ramayana or Mahabharata alive. Not boring, promise.
- Rod & Scarf Puppets: Ages 8+ dive into making movable puppets and then try them out in a quick puppet play.
For Artists & Serious Hobbyists
- Two-week Pavakathakali Workshop: Learn from masters. Carve wood, paint, stitch costumes, and perform with puppets, following old-school Kerala traditions. Yeh sahi mein deep dive hai (this is truly a deep dive).
What You Take Home
You always take your puppet home. But honestly, what stays is the experience - a story in your pocket, a new skill, and a slice of tradition. We just want you to feel that making something with your own hands is magic.
Meet your Expert
Dhaatu Puppet Theater
22 connects in last 3 months
My Story
We are Dhaatu Puppet Theater, a family-run bunch. I’m Anupama, started out as an engineer, but puppets called me. My husband Vidyashankar keeps things solid behind the scenes, while my daughters jump in on stage. Since 2004, we’ve been chasing the magic of Bharat’s stories. Our puppet museum in Bengaluru is a wild mix of old and new. Got the Padma Shri this year – felt huge, but really, it’s for puppetry, not just me.
My Work
Our Offerings - We do puppet shows, workshops for all ages, storytelling, festivals, doll exhibitions, and run a puppet museum in Bengaluru.
Epic Puppet Shows - Stories from the Ramayana, Bhakta Prahlada, and more. Shows in English, Hindi, sometimes Samskritam. Not just fun – it’s culture.
Workshops for Kids & Adults - Summer camps, parent-child sessions, and Pavakathakali hand puppet workshops. We teach everyone who’s curious.
Festivals & Events - Dhaatu International Puppet Festival and Puppet Santhe. Big gatherings, museum tours, hands-on workshops, loads of energy.
Dhaatu Puppet Museum - Curated puppet collection from India and abroad. School groups, families – all welcome to dive into the magic.
