As part of the Aurora 2026 Presidency School of Liberal Arts and Sciences (PSOLAS) Orientation Programme, a field trip was organised for students to the Dhaatu Puppet Museum in Talaghattapura, Kanakapura Main Road, Bengaluru, on 24 June 2026. Dhaatu is a not-for-profit puppet theatre and cultural education centre founded in 2004, with a mission to bring India’s rich heritage of storytelling to life through epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, classical literary works by Bhasa and Kalidasa, and folk tales from the Panchatantra. The organisation specialises in the ancient art forms of puppetry and traditional doll-making as mediums for storytelling and cultural education.

 

Upon arrival, the group was welcomed by the Director, Anupama Hoskere, who presented each participant with a badge. The visit commenced with an introductory lecture by the Director, offering an overview of Dhaatu’s history and the perse puppet traditions of India. This was followed by a guided tour of the in-house puppet museum, which houses a compelling collection of puppets from across the country, including string, shadow, glove and rod puppets, each accompanied by contextual information about its regional origin and theatrical tradition. Participants found the session both engaging and enlightening.

 

The highlight of the visit was an experiential puppetry workshop in which students themselves took on the role of puppeteers, working with puppets from different regions of India. The session was marked by enthusiasm, laughter and creative exploration, and proved to be a meaningful bonding experience as students collaborated and shared in one another’s discoveries.

The field trip to the Dhaatu Puppet Museum was a thoroughly enriching experience, offering students first-hand exposure to India’s intangible cultural heritage, fostering peer connections through shared learning, and setting an inspiring tone for the Aurora 2026 orientation programme.