Kathputli Colony is the name derived from traditional art of Rajasthan. The colony houses puppeteers, dancers, magicians and other performing artists. Housing more than 3500 families from over four decades, these people have played a major role in bringing the streets of Delhi alive with their creative art work. Narrow roads, dirty drains and cramped houses, the area is filled with superstars. Everyone here is an artist. I happened to be there one fine morning, while roaming around the streets of Delhi, as is increasingly becoming my favourite activity. 'Mini Rajasthan' were the first words that stuck with me after a few minutes of walking around the narrow streets of this colony. Women dressed up in traditional Rajasthani attire, talking in proper Rajasthani language and sounds of of Rajasthani songs being hummed wafted from a corner of the colony. I was transported to Rajasthan for a while!

I have tried to capture the moments in this photoessay depicting life inside the Kathputli Colony.


All of these women are called 'Lado'. When I asked them, "How do you figure out who is being called?", the woman in yellow replied, "We get to know." These ladies are bangle makers by profession.

She cooks Buff everyday for sale at 5:30 pm. The colony people call her 'Budhia' (Old woman)