The Dream Unfolds

What started with a 'kachhi basti' performance has now led to performances in the Russian Embassy, and across other renowned platforms across the nation. From struggling to get two shows per month to performing 200 shows a year, the puppeteers of Kathputli Colony, Shadipur have come a long way.

 This story began with the ambition of Shreyasi Mehndiratta and Shruti Paul, who envisioned the dream for the puppeteers in order for them to regain their lost respect and recognition. Puppetry in India has seen a downward gradient from being an art which lit up the Indian streets and courtrooms, to being pushed to hopeless anonymity reduced by the contemporary forms of entertainment. It has never been a smooth sailing. From pitiable livelihood conditions to miserable employment avenues, life was in shambles for the puppeteers of Kathputli Colony. For puppeteers Raju, Vikram, Vinay and Ravi, the art form of puppetry is the legacy their forefathers left behind.

When Project Kayakalp was first conceived, it took a full six months to convince this community of puppeteers about the feasibility and sustainability of the venture. Doesn’t everyone have that moment: an experience, an epiphany, getting fired, getting desperate, getting fed up, and getting lucky enough to have fortune outshine fate? A similar story followed for these puppeteers as well when Kayakalp came into picture.

However, it was just the beginning, just the launch of the flight that awaited its magnificent journey. The first show was themed against bullying and after their first show; a series of firsts followed: the first episode of their new life, the first feeling of fulfillment, the first thunderclap of applause and a first feeling of belonging. There was no looking back from there. Trust us when we say then: they had their own trepidations and apprehensions- a group of 200 people, a bedlam of 200 voices- “Is this the opportunity we were waiting for?” The literal meaning of Kayakalp- “rejuvenation” has indeed got a special connotation for these puppeteers- there are some very specific instances in everyone’s life that evolve them, that change them for the better, that vitalize them and rejuvenate them only to be cherished forever and quite congruently, Kayakalp has been that “specific instance” for them. This is where the endeavor of Kayakalp came into effect to smoothen things out. Defying all odds and doubts, going against the misgivings which persisted in the back of the mind; a new initiative carved in to ripen these amateurs into the maestros of puppetry. And blindly trusting their instincts and respecting the trust of the puppeteers imposed in them, the Kayakalp members moved ahead with full vigor and enthusiasm- set out to win some battles if not the world. And gradually, many battles were won, many achievements were forged and many lives were made.

In January, 2016 Kayakalp performed its 600th show. How gratified and spirited we feel whenever we revisit the Kayakalp journey; putting forth the vivid imagery of the deft hand movements of those ambitious puppeteers, of the several occasions celebrated, of the tea which we have to drink on a Shadipur visit, of the dilapidated place turned into the haven of art. It would be no exaggeration to claim that the overwhelming aura with which Kayakalp has left all of us awestruck is a one to swoon over. What's more important than the increase in income is the feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that these puppeteers feel. While Enactus bids farewell to Kayakalp, we would like to say that this journey has been remarkable. It is time to realize that there's always some good in goodbyes. For one will have to leave something behind to move forward. We are happy to see the puppeteers taking a step towards success. To see them as entrepreneurs is all we wanted and now we are proud to see Kayakalp actually pulling the strings of change.

Written by Archit Taluka and Harsha Jain

Edited by Rai Sengupta