Historically, Kathputlis (puppets) were not only a source of entertainment but also provided moral and social education. Located in the country’s capital Delhi, the Kathputli Colony is a tinsel slum originally founded by 11 Rajasthani puppeteers and their families more than 40 years ago. Generations of performers have passed on their ancient knowledge keeping the arts alive so that now in the center of this vast slum there are magicians, puppeteers, musicians, folk singers, painters, jugglers, dancers, storytellers and acrobats practicing their art.

The people of the colony had a ‘Kathputli Colony Fest’ in March 2014. The idea of the festival was not to create a hue and cry about colony’s problems but to let these artists talk about themselves through their beautiful means of expression. All they wanted to communicate and make sure is that their art continues to live through them with dignity and gets a wider audience.

For more details:
http://www.dsource.in/resource/kathputli-colony