Famous Indian Puppeteers: Masters of Traditional and Modern Puppetry

🎭Puppetry as a Living Legacy

Puppetry in India is much more than just an art form—it is a cultural tradition, a storytelling bridge between the past and the present, and a vibrant legacy passed down through generations. Rooted in folk theatre, ancient myths, and social messages, this beautiful craft has stayed alive because of dedicated artists who have mastered and innovated it over the years. In this post, we celebrate four famous Indian puppeteers—Suresh Dutta, Ranganatha Rao, Dadi Pudumjee, and Ramdas Pandhye—who have transformed Indian puppetry and taken it to global audiences, inspiring countless people along the way.

1.Suresh Dutta: The Master Who Blended Dance, Drama, and Puppetry

Suresh Dutta is an Indian puppeteer, theatre personality, and founder of the Calcutta Puppet Theatre—a Kolkata-based group dedicated to the art of puppetry. Born in 1934 in Faridpur, undivided Bengal (then part of British India), he earned a diploma in dance, drama, and music, and received training in fine arts from the Albert League Temple Art School and College. Dutta also trained under Phani Bhushan, a noted Jatra exponent, and learned Kathakali under Balakrishna Menon. In addition, he mastered Bharatanatyam and Manipuri, which enriched his parallel career in puppetry.

In 1954, he joined the Children’s Little Theatre in Calcutta, where he began producing puppet shows. Two of his early marionette productions, Mithuya (1955) and Dustu Indur (Naughty Mouse, 1956), became hugely popular. In 1962, Dutta received a scholarship to study puppetry in Russia under the world-renowned master Sergei Obraztsov. After returning to India, he continued working with the Children’s Little Theatre until 1971.

In 1973, Suresh Dutta, along with his wife Devi and a few like-minded artists, founded the Calcutta Puppet Theatre. The group staged several acclaimed shows, beginning with Aladdin, followed by Ramayana, Sita, Gulabo aur Sitabo, and Natun Jeebon, performing over 3,000 shows in total. Dutta was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1978 and the Padma Shri in 2009 by the Government of India for his outstanding contribution to Indian puppetry.

2.Ranganatha Rao: The Rod Puppet Virtuoso of Karnataka

Mr. Ranganatha Rao was a pioneering artist who played a key role in reviving Kannada puppetry, especially the traditional rod puppet art form. Born in 1932, Rao learned puppetry from his grandfather, Narasingha Rao, a professional puppeteer. Though he initially worked as a government school teacher, his passion for the art led him to leave his job and take up puppetry as a full-time profession.

With a strong academic background in drama and theatre, Rao naturally used puppets as a creative tool to teach children—especially in rural schools across Karnataka. His puppetry was not just for entertainment; it became a powerful medium for education, cultural awareness, and folk storytelling.

Rao specialized in rod puppetry, one of the most challenging forms of puppetry in India. Rod puppets are large, standing about three feet tall and weighing nearly 15 kilograms. Two thin rods are attached to the puppet's hands for movement, while the puppeteer wears a circular ring on his head to control the puppet's head and body with life-like flexibility. The feet also need to move fluidly, blending naturally with the character and story.

To bring this art to life, Rao formed an expert team of performers and singers. Together, they created a mini-theatre experience, rooted in traditional folk music and cultural narratives. His troupe travelled across India, conducting performances, lecture-demonstrations, and workshops to show that rod puppetry is both an engaging art form and an effective educational tool.

Ranganatha Rao’s contributions were widely recognized. In 1981, he received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his dedication to puppetry. His puppets are proudly displayed in prestigious museums around the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum (UK), Swiss Puppet Museum (Switzerland), Tokyo Puppet Museum (Japan), and China Puppet Museum (Beijing).

In recent years, Rao was also honored with the Karnataka State Rajyotsava Award (2016) and the Kamala Award from the Crafts Council of India. These recognitions highlight his tireless efforts in preserving and promoting the beautiful tradition of Indian rod puppetry.

3.Dadi Pudumjee: The Global Face of Indian Puppetry

Born on 15 September 1951, Dadi Pudumjee is one of India’s most influential contemporary puppeteers and the founder of The Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust. His pioneering work has played a key role in modernizing and globalizing Indian puppetry.

Dadi Pudumjee received his early education in Pune, and later studied at the National Institute of Design (NID) and the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad, where he trained under the late Meher Contractor. He then moved to Stockholm, Sweden, to study puppetry at the Marionette Theatre Institute under renowned puppeteer Michael Meschke.

Unlike traditional string or hand puppets, Pudumjee introduced semi-sculptural puppets—attached directly to human actors—creating a unique blend where the performer and puppet move as one. His creative innovation blurred the boundaries between actor and puppet, making his performances both modern and deeply expressive.

Dadi Pudumjee has used puppetry not just as entertainment but as a tool for social change. Through his collaboration with UNESCO, he launched awareness campaigns focused on HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, and social issues, using puppets as a medium to connect with diverse audiences.

His organization, The Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust, has been instrumental in preserving India’s rich puppet traditions while adapting them to contemporary themes. It also supports artists across India and promotes puppetry as a powerful medium of communication and education.

In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1992. He currently serves as the President of UNIMA (Union Internationale de la Marionnette), the International Puppetry Association, helping bring Indian puppetry to international stages.

4.Ramdas Pandhye: India’s Ventriloquism Legend

Ramdas Pandhye is a pioneering Indian ventriloquist, puppeteer, and puppet maker who has transformed the traditional art of puppetry into a modern, socially relevant medium. Over the last four decades, he has conducted more than 9,000 puppet and ventriloquism shows across India and abroad.

His popular puppet characters—Ardhavatrao and Awadabai—became household names in the 1970s, especially through regular appearances on Doordarshan. These characters were not just for entertainment; they helped deliver important messages on family planning, women’s health, child education, and social awareness.

Ramdas Pandhye made history as the first Indian ventriloquist to appear on international television platforms such as NBC, ABC, CBS (USA), and BBC Channel Four (UK). His appearances helped introduce Indian puppetry and ventriloquism to global audiences.

A true innovator, Pandhye was also one of the earliest Indian artists to adopt digital technology. He launched India’s first websites dedicated to puppetry and ventriloquism and developed multimedia puppet performances that combined traditional storytelling with modern technology.

Through his art, Ramdas Pandhye has shown that puppetry is not just an ancient form of entertainment—it is a powerful medium for education, social change, and international cultural exchange.

🎬Carriers of a Timeless Craft: A Legacy That Lives On

The world of Indian puppetry owes its richness and continued relevance to the tireless efforts of Suresh Dutta, Ranganatha Rao, Dadi Pudumjee, and Ramdas Pandhye. These four legendary puppeteers have not only preserved an ancient art form but have also reinvented it for new generations.

Their creative journeys—ranging from rod puppets and marionettes to modern, multimedia performances—have shown that puppetry is far more than just entertainment. It is a living cultural dialogue, a tool for education, social awareness, and storytelling that can touch hearts and spark change.

Through their dedication, they have proven that puppetry is not just a craft; it is a vibrant tradition and a powerful form of expression that adapts with time while staying rooted in heritage. Whether it's teaching children in rural schools, raising awareness about social issues, or performing on global stages, these artists have pushed the boundaries of what puppetry can do.

As new generations of puppeteers take up the strings and voices of tradition, the legacy of these pioneers continues to inspire, educate, and enchant. It is up to us—as audiences, artists, and cultural supporters—to keep this beautiful art form alive and thriving.

Please do read my other blogposts, link below:⏬

ORIGIN OF PUPPETRY IN INDIA

DIFFERENT TYPES OF PUPPETS FOUND IN INDIA

THEMES OF PUPPETS SHOWS IN INDIA

FAMOUS PUPPETEERS IN INDIA.

ROLE OF PUPPETEER IN PUPPETRY SHOWS

KATHPUTLI-THE TRADITIONAL FOLK ART OF RAJASTHAN

PUTUL NAACH(DANCE):THE FOLK PUPPETRY OF WEST BENGAL

SHADOW PUPPETRY IN INDIA

ADVANTAGES OF PUPPETRY AS A MEDIUM FOR EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION

PUPPETRY AS MEDIUM FOR DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION

EXPLORING THE COMPLEX CHARACTER OF NOBITA NOBI IN DORAEMON

MY VISIT TO ALIPORE JAIL MUSEUM

EXPIRED DOMAIN ABUSE