Renowned puppeteer and cultural revivalist Ms. Anupama Hoskere from Karnataka has been conferred the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours, for her outstanding contributions to Art, particularly in the field of traditional puppetry.
An engineer by training, Anupama transitioned into the world of puppetry over two decades ago, bringing with her a rare blend of technical innovation and deep cultural understanding. She is the founder and artistic director of Dhaatu, a Bengaluru-based puppet theatre that has played a crucial role in preserving and popularizing ancient Indian puppetry traditions such as string, rod, shadow, and glove puppets.
Dhaatu’s productions, often based on Indian epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, have been staged across India and internationally in countries like the USA, UK, France, Russia, and China. Anupama’s vision is to make puppetry relevant to contemporary audiences while retaining its classical roots. Her engineering background has enabled her to redesign puppet mechanisms, giving them enhanced mobility and expression.
She also established the Mandala Puppet Theatre and Gallery, a vibrant cultural space in Bengaluru dedicated to showcasing India’s diverse puppetry traditions. With a collection of over 5,000 puppets, her gallery is one of the largest in India.
Anupama’s work in puppetry education is equally significant—she conducts workshops, seminars, and international puppet festivals, introducing the next generation to the storytelling power of this ancient art.
Upon receiving the Padma Shri, she remarked, “This recognition is not just for me but for the art of puppetry itself. It shows that our traditional arts are still alive and valued in the modern world.”
Ms. Anupama Hoskere’s Padma Shri award marks a milestone in the journey of Indian puppetry—from near extinction to vibrant resurgence—thanks to her dedication, innovation, and love for tradition.
