It is an ancient dance form based on popular legends that was started by the Bhat tribal community several thousand years ago. Performed by skilled puppeteers, this dance form involves making the puppets dance and act. A Kathputli Dance performance portrays stories from Indian mythology and folklore together with prevailing social problems. A woman, usually the puppeteer’s wife, is involved in the performance and plays the drum, or dholak and sings the ballad.