Kathputli ka Khel, a traditional string puppetry art form historically performed by the nomadic Bhatt and Nat communities of Rajasthan, has nearly vanished due to changing times and the decline of interest in folk traditions. This project, led by a group of young researchers from Kathputli Colony—a historic slum settlement in Delhi that has been a hub for traditional nomadic artists since independence—aims to document and preserve this cultural heritage for both the public and future generations. The project’s goals include capturing the essence of traditional storytelling practices and material practices through video interviews with seasoned artists, documenting the intricate art of puppet-making, and photographing and filming related cultural artefacts and performance stages. Additionally, the project seeks to archive these practices to ensure their preservation. By creating a comprehensive collection of photographs, videos, and interviews, this initiative will safeguard Kathputli ka Khel as a vibrant part of India’s cultural heritage, culminating in a festival to showcase the archived work and performances.
The field methods for this project will be ethnographic, focusing on semi-structured interviews, and video and photo documentation of the process and practice of Kathputli ka Khel. Leveraging existing relationships within the community, the team will recruit puppeteers and their families, prioritizing variation in storytelling and material creation. Fifteen semi-structured interviews, including five puppeteers and ten family members, will be conducted and recorded on video. Additionally, the puppet-making process, staging, and final performances will be documented. The local team, comprising the PI, a full-time research assistant, and two hourly assistants, will receive training in recording, editing, transcription, and translation. The collected materials will be used to create a website, serving as an open-access digital archive for the videos and photographs.
Principal Investigator:
Vijay Kumar
Collaborator:
Jack Nissan
Research Assistants:
Ajay Kumar, Shruti Shree, and Dharmender
Location of Research:
Kathputli colony, Delhi, India
Host Institution:
In Place of War, UK.
Top Banner Image: The stage is all set. Photo credit: Vijay Kumar.