Kathputli Colony - Support Performers

Below are some collaborations with Puran Bhatt, one of the foremost practitioners of traditional Rajasthani Kathputli (puppetry). I worked in varying capacities with them over Whatsapp (phone communication). For Dhola Maru, I just added English subtitles, for Aatish Baz, I edited, and provided some ideas, while for Ras Dhari, I sent an animatic (animated storyboards) which Puran ji’s sons used as a references to film and then I edited the piece. I hope to create more collaborations with more of the creative input coming from Puran ji and his sons to help them develop in terms of filming their own productions for new platforms.

Current Situation

Kathputli Colony is a colony of puppeteers, musicians, dancers, acrobats, magicians and other performers. There are about 2,800 families with no source of income due to COVID lockdowns. I have been in touch with Puran Bhatt, a master puppeteer for over five years and never, through all the horrible challenges they have faced, has he asked me for anything. The situation is so difficult after a year of lockdown and current catastrophic COVID surge in India, that he let me know they are out of food. So, I have immediately set to work on this grassroots effort to create online performances for which you send funds directly to Puran Bhatt via Western Union, or send funds to me, which I can send to him.

Article: COVID-19: Displaced & Out Of Work, Artistes Of Kathputli Colony Struggle For Two Meals

Background

The artists of the colony had lived in a slum in Delhi, where they created a home since the 1950s, performing and representing Indian culture at home and around the world. Real estate developers had them forcefully removed, and after great struggle, they moved to a temporary housing situation (Anand Parbat, 10 number Gali, near the Police Station, Transit Camp, New Delhi 5), with the promise of moving to a more permanent space eventually, due to huge efforts on the part of the community and activists as detailed in the documentary Tomorrow We Disappear and countless news stories.

Custom Puppets by Master Puppeteer and Puppet Fabricator Puran Bhatt

One way to support is to commission Puran Bhatt to create custom puppets. He may have puppets for sale as well, but you can also send him images and ask for a particular type of puppet. He can create traditional Rajasthani kathputli puppets as all as many other varieties. I commissioned him to make several for my projects and they are incredible.

They range INR 30,000 (USD $400) and up for high quality performance puppets, but you can also talk to him about decorative pieces that can be INR 3,000 and up (USD $40). You can add shipping to wherever you live. You are welcome to give more, but please don’t bargain with an artist. The work is well worth the asking price and much more. You can call him on Whatsapp: Puran Bhatt, ph: 91-9871057010. I can facilitate for free. This is about getting money into the hands of the community. They are amazing and just want to be able to work and feed their families. Funds can be sent via Western Union to Puran Bhatt, ph: 91-9871057010, Address: B-76 Kathputli Colony, Shadipur Depot, New Delhi, 110008, India