Our Family Legacy in Indian Puppetry
Puppetry isn't just my profession, it's my inheritance. From my family's first puppet created in 1917 to the technology-driven characters I design today, we have been telling stories for over a century.
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.
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 104-year-old puppet, Ardhavatrao, and his wife Awadabai, keeping up with the times. Here they are dancing to a trending song from the movie "Animal", showing that classic characters can always stay relevant.
The classic puppet couple, Ardhavatrao and Awadabai, in another fun reel, this time dancing to the hit song "Sooseki" from Pushpa 2.
My father and I during a special Ganesh Chaturthi program on NDTV Marathi. We shared stories about our family's connection to the festival and our craft.
Our family representing India at the World Puppet Carnival in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2018. We are committed to showcasing Indian puppetry on the world stage.
A quick video montage showing my 31-year journey in puppetry, from being a child surrounded by puppets to performing on national television.
A proud moment standing next to Aamir Khan. This project with the Paani Foundation was a collaboration between me and my father, combining our skills to create giant puppets for a social cause.
A collage of my interaction with Aamir Khan at the Paani Foundation event. Explaining the mechanics of the giant puppets we built was a highlight of the project.
We designed these beautiful puppets depicting characters from the Ramayana for a promo for the Colors TV show 'Luv Kush'. This showcases our ability to create puppets for mythological and historical narratives.
About A Family Legacy in Puppetry
Puppetry isn't just about the shows. When you look at Ardhavatrao or any of our classic puppets, you are seeing a century of Indian entertainment history. My father, Ramdas Padhye, and I don't just maintain these characters; we evolve them for every generation. Whether it is integrating them into a trending Instagram reel or using them for meaningful social causes like the Paani Foundation, we ensure this art stays relevant for today’s screens.
Our journey began in 1917 with my grandfather, Yeshwant Padhye, and was later popularised on television in the 1970s by my father, Ramdas Padhye. Growing up in a home filled with wooden characters, I learned that a puppet is only as good as the life the puppeteer breathes into it.
We have always adapted. What started as traditional ventriloquism for live audiences has transformed into a craft that serves cinema, advertising, and digital media. We use 3D printing and modern materials to create characters that hold up in 4K resolution, yet we hold onto the soul of the performance that makes a puppet feel like a living being.
When I work with clients, I bring this full spectrum of experience. If you are producing a film, we can build a character that acts alongside your lead actors. If you are a brand, we can develop a mascot that connects with your audience more effectively than a static logo. We take care of everything from the initial design and 3D fabrication to the on-set performance and actor training. My mission is to show that puppetry is a powerful tool for storytelling, not just child's play.
Satyajit Padhye
I’m Satyajit. I grew up with the scent of wood shavings and the sound of my father, Ramdas Padhye, bringing puppets to life. While I trained as a Chartered Accountant, the puppets wouldn't let me leave. Now, my family and I continue that work, blending traditional ventriloquism with the latest tech.
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