Magical performers at the Kathputli Colony

Tucked away in West Delhi is Kathputli Colony; you have to gingerly step over piles of garbage at the entrance only to negotiate your way through narrow alleys and a sea of people. The residents peek at you from makeshift homes. The colony has been immortalised in Salman Rushdie's famous novel “Midnight's Children”, while avid foreign journalists often descend on the 50-year-old slum in search of a colourful story. They couldn't ask for a better subject-- the colony is home to some of the finest traditional artists like puppeteers, dancers, acrobats, jugglers, musicians, magicians and storytellers.

Thirty-three year old Mahesh Bhat is a puppeteer-drummer who has come a long way. Though his father Mohan Bhat  acquired renown and  performed before luminaries like late Indian President Rajendra Prasad and Jawaharlal Nehru, the younger Bhat was hampered by his lack of education -- until NGO Kalakar Trust (that works in the area) pitched in to polish his computer, English and marketing skills. Today Bhat is a freelance event manager with performances in Netherlands, France, Germany and Mauritius behind him.

Agile young Maya Pawar leaps into the air with ease as she shows off her acrobatic skills. Both her parents are acrobats and are often called upon to perform at weddings and festivals. She has performed to awe struck audiences in Netherlands, Egypt, South Africa, among other countries. But she has a grouse. “We give India a good name abroad but the government doesn't bother about us in our country,” says Maya who teaches acrobatics at the Kalakar Trust's community centre twice a week.

Accomplished folk and contemporary dancers Ajay Bhat and Bunty say that Kalakar Trust has given them an edge as they have not only received very basic education but learnt to play the dholak, harmonium, tabla and an African drum called djembe. Bhat is expert at not just folk dance but has mastered hip-hop and Bollywood moves. “I have performed in 'Zubaan' and 'Bollywood Diaries',” says Bhat with pride.

Meanwhile Bunty is only too happy to talk about himself.  Though he has made a name for himself as a dancer, he is pained by people's reactions when they learn that he is from the Kathputli Colony slum. “It's different in other countries.  People only judge us by our art,” he says.