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Traditional Puppet Shows and Craft Workshops in Bengaluru

byDhaatu Puppet TheaterWorkshops at theaters in Banashankari & Talaghattapura, BengaluruStarts from₹400 per participantView full gallery

Experience the magic of Indian storytelling through our traditional puppet shows or learn the art of puppetry in our hands-on workshops at our Bengaluru cultural centers.

We believe puppetry is poetry in motion. This image captures a tender moment between a puppeteer and her creation during our "Poetry in Puppetry" show, showcasing the deep emotional connection that is at the heart of our storytelling.

This is where the magic begins. Our two-week Pavakathakali workshop takes you through the entire process of creating a traditional Kerala hand puppet, from meticulously carving the wood and painting delicate features to stitching the final costume.

Storytelling is central to our work. Here, our founder Anupama Hoskere captivates a young audience with tales from the Ramayana, using expressive narration to make ancient stories accessible and exciting for children.

A glimpse of our string puppets on stage. Each character is handcrafted with unique costumes and expressions, ready to enact scenes from timeless Indian stories. This showcases the vibrant theatricality of our traditional puppet shows.

Our "Parent & Me" workshop is designed for our youngest creators, ages 2 to 5. This poster highlights one of our most popular sessions where parents and toddlers can bond while making simple, charming finger puppets together.

We are deeply honored that our founder director, Smt. Anupama Hoskere, was conferred the Padma Shri award. This recognition fuels our commitment to preserving and sharing the art of puppetry.

We teach you how to create your own stage. This simple wooden puppet theater, with a hand-painted backdrop for a Panchatantram story, shows how you can bring the magic of puppetry into your own home after attending our workshops.

About Featured

At Dhaatu, we believe the best way to understand puppetry is to hold a puppet in your own hands. Whether you are watching a traditional Ramayana performance or joining our weekend 'karyagara' (workshop), you engage with a living tradition that spans generations. We provide the materials and the guidance, but the stories you tell with your puppet are yours.

Padma Shri award-winning puppetry in Bengaluru — Approved by the tribe
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Dhaatu Puppet Theater

Workshops at theaters in Banashankari & Talaghattapura, BengaluruStarts from ₹400 per participant

I am Anupama, and along with my family and team, I have been chasing the stories of Bharat through puppetry since 2004. We are an engineer-led family that swapped technical blueprints for puppet scripts, turning our shared passion into a space for art and culture right here in Bengaluru.

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There is nothing more priceless than this moment of connection. We see a child whispering a secret to one of our handmade puppets, a beautiful reminder of why we love bringing stories to life.7
We use all kinds of creative tools to tell our stories. Here, I am using simple paper cutouts and a pop-up book to create a world of waves and clouds during an interactive storytelling session.
Our workshops are completely hands-on. Here, a group of our putanis are learning the basics of controlling their very own marionette puppets, which they helped create themselves during a summer camp.
Bringing smiles to the pediatric oncology ward at St. John's hospital was one of our most memorable shows. Sharing stories in this space is a powerful reminder of how art can bring light and joy.

Puppet Theatre Performances and Creative Workshops

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PuppeTreeWorkshops at your venue across Bengaluru
An intimate puppet show in progress at our centre. Here, you can see our artists engaging with the audience, demonstrating how traditional Indian string puppets are brought to life to tell timeless stories.8
A scene from the Gajendra Moksha story, depicted with our handcrafted puppets. This display showcases the intricate detail and expressive artistry that goes into each character, from the divine form of Vishnu to the elephant and crocodile.
We were delighted to host students from Creighton University, USA, and St. Joseph's College, Bengaluru. This picture captures a moment from their India immersion program, standing before the stone chariot replica at our centre.
A moment of discovery during an experiential puppet play session. After the show, we invite our guests to get a closer look and even try their hand at manipulating the puppets, creating a memorable, hands-on cultural experience.

The Art of Dhaatu: Traditional Puppetry and Cultural Experiences

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DhaatuLocated at Mandala Cultural Centre, Kanakapura Road
There's nothing more magical than seeing their faces light up when the dragon puppet makes its grand entrance. This is my favorite moment in the show, where every child is completely captivated by the story. It’s these moments of pure wonder that I strive to create at every party.8
I can turn any space, big or small, into a theatre of imagination. Here I am at a school event, sharing a story with over a hundred families. It brings me so much joy to see both kids and parents completely absorbed in the performance together.

Interactive Puppet Shows and Storytelling for Kids in Bengaluru

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Tickles&TalesTravels to your venue across Bengaluru
The magic of a shadow puppet show. In a darkened room, simple shapes come to life, telling a story in a way that is both ancient and captivating for modern kids.34
A storyteller uses a Kamishibai box to tell a story about birds. The sliding panels create a sense of anticipation as each new scene is revealed.

Puppet Shows and Theatrical Storytelling Workshops

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OurstoryshelfAttend Workshops at Rustam Bagh Layout, Bengaluru
This is what pure, joyful engagement looks like! Our experiential learning workshops are all about getting kids to participate, not just listen. In this moment from a live session, you can feel the excitement as the children become part of the story.12
Welcome to our magical Kamishibai theatre! We decorate our Japanese paper story box for every theme, using fairy lights and handmade puppets to create an enchanting atmosphere that pulls children right into the world of the story.
Welcome to our magical Kamishibai theatre! We decorate our Japanese paper story box for every theme, using fairy lights and handmade puppets to create an enchanting atmosphere that pulls children right into the world of the story.

Our Favourite Storytelling Moments and Workshops

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Moxie & HopperAvailable online and at pop-up venues across Bengaluru
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An overview of my popular Puppet Lab workshop. In this session, I guide you through creating 10 different puppets, perfect for parents and primary school teachers looking to make learning more interactive.

Practical Teacher Training & Storytelling Workshops

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NishatOnline workshops and in-person sessions across Bengaluru

What are you looking to experience?

Explore our range of performances, educational programs, and cultural workshops in Bengaluru.

Puppet shows for kidsTraditional puppet makingWeekend workshopsRamayana puppet playCultural center visitSchool field tripsShadow puppetry

More from Puppetry & Craft Workshops by Dhaatu Puppet Theater

Our Puppet Shows: Stories on a StringWorkshops for Children & FamiliesMastering the Craft: The Pavakathakali WorkshopFestivals, Conferences & CommunityOur Founder's Journey & AccoladesSpecialized Cultural Workshops

More services by Dhaatu Puppet Theater

Puppet Shows & PerformancesCultural Festivals & ExhibitionsMuseum Tours & Educational Programs
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