The Art and Legacy of Dhaatu Puppet Theater
We preserve Bharat’s ancient storytelling traditions. See the journey behind our Padma Shri recognition and our commitment to bringing puppets to life.
We are humbled to be featured by the Ministry of Culture in this video honoring our founder, Anupama Hoskere, as a Padma Shri recipient. It highlights her work in puppetry and the establishment of our puppet museum.
A screenshot of the official announcement from the President of India, presenting the Padma Shri in the field of Art to Smt. Anupama Hoskere. A moment of immense pride for our entire Dhaatu family.
Video footage of the Padma Shri award ceremony, where our founder director Smt. Anupama Hoskere receives the award from the Honorable President of India for her invaluable contribution to the art of puppetry.
Our founder receiving the Shivaratri Utsava Award at an event in Malleshwaram, Bengaluru. We are grateful for the local recognition of our efforts to promote traditional arts within our community.
Smt. Anupama Hoskere being honored at the Shivaratri Utsava. Such events, which bring together artists and achievers, are vital for fostering a vibrant cultural ecosystem in the city.
Another moment from the Shivaratri Utsava award ceremony. It is a privilege to be recognized alongside other stalwart artists and contributors to Bengaluru's cultural fabric.
Our founder at a national conference for women in science and technology in Bhopal. Her presentation on puppetry stirred great interest, showing the universal appeal of art and storytelling across different fields.
This video shows the materials from the STREE 2024 National Conference & Expo, where our founder was a speaker. The event focused on women as propagators of Indian knowledge systems.
About Our Founder's Journey & Accolades
When I stepped away from engineering to dedicate myself to puppetry, my goal was simple. I wanted to ensure that the wisdom of our epics, like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, remains accessible to the next generation through the tangible, rhythmic movement of puppets. We do not just perform, we share a living connection to our heritage.
Our journey began in 2004 with a desire to keep the rich tradition of Indian puppetry alive. What started as a passion project for my family has grown into Dhaatu Puppet Theater, a space in Bengaluru where old and new converge. Receiving the Padma Shri was an immense honour, yet for us, it validates the importance of this art form rather than the individual.
We bridge the gap between traditional storytelling and modern audiences. Whether through our puppet museum, which houses a collection from across India and the globe, or our intensive workshops, we focus on hands-on engagement. We believe that when a child or adult crafts their own puppet, they form a deeper bond with the story it tells.
Our work extends beyond performances. We host workshops that teach the mechanics of rod, shadow, and hand puppets, rooted in the principles of the Natyashastra. From simple finger puppets for toddlers to advanced two-week masterclasses in Pavakathakali, every session is designed to share knowledge systems from our past. We invite you to visit our center in Banashankari, explore our exhibitions, or join a workshop to experience how we carry our culture forward, from Adi to Amrit Kaal.
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