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We are all Ghumuntu Artists (Banjara: Gypies) .
Our ancestors used to move from one village to another.
We would travel back and forth from Rajasthan to U.P, Bihar for work
Delhi used to be our Hub
Our grandparents found more work here, hence they settled here in Delhi.
Even in Delhi they would keep shuffling their location on a monthly basis.
Mr.Rajeev Sethi helped us form a Commitee called as "Kalakar Samiti"
Kathputli colony then became our permanent residence.
Slowly all artists joined us here to form this colony.
One can find all kinds of artists like Magician, Juggler, Puppeteer, Singer ,
Dancer, Acrobat, Painter and many different artists
One can find artists from all states of the India. It can even be called Mini Bharat (India)
Artists come from many states like Rajasthan, U.P, Bihar, Bengal, Gujarat....
Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and from all other states in India.
There are a few Non Artists who do service.
These artists have been living here successfully for more than 45 Years without any problems .
Lets See. Government now has plan to construct flats and shift them into those Apartments.
Lets wait till it happens.
We are people with open hearts and are artists.
We are internationally famous since 45 years
the government has known our colony as a community of Traditional Artists.
We bring awards and acclaims for our country.
Even before this the government planned to offer us some land.
Mr.Rajeev Sethi initially had a plan to create an artist vilage titled
Where the artist could live life in their own gypsy lifestyle. Trying to save their cultural past.
You could see our Women even today follow the traditional attire .
we as Individuals have transformed but our culture is intact.
To save this culture we need a model
like the AnandGram or Tourist Village, Exhibition which can be accessible to Public.
Our life starts from Chule and ends at Prime Minister
There is no limit to artists capabilities.
Two years back Mr.Ajay Mathar a civil servant came here to build this colony and promised to build 11 storey Apartment.
Everybody happily clapped hoping they will have homes built.
But they realized that their lifestyle will be lost after the flats are built.
Our Gypsy thoughts will vanish. We like to live in open places,
open heartedly, welcoming people to join us to enjoy our Art, Work & lifestyle
Everyone was frustrated as they never got any help from the past 45 years. We might get land or a home but that did not happen.
we have no option hence everyone accepted he offer to build the 11 floored Apartment. And we will get our official documents so
Nobody asked what facilities would the apartment have.
Today tourists come to visit & interact with us leaving with a smile and a thought.
Nobody would come once the flats are built which have only four concrete walls.
The doors will be closed to the outer world. Not just the artist but the art also will be be dead.
If this happens all our efforts to save our culture , traditions will also be at vain.
Children might live in the flats, we elders are not used to that idea of living in an apartment.
Nothing will happen all of a sudden as there is alot of work to be done.
Local govn,Body has assigned a private builder to construct the building.
No official documents have been given to us, confirming that flats will be distributed among us.
We have not been intimated of the duration, when would we have to come back after we evacuate this colony.
Bulldozers could come into place when we protest that we need individual homes rather than the apartments.
Nobody has the courage to fight .
Government law states if a tenent lives in a place for 25 years , they would own it.
Nobody declared the land to our community despite we living here for 35 years .
Our hopes have been devastated, Just give us anything or something.
If we write a letter online to countries around the world asking for grants and Help us to build our homes.
Many countries will be interested in funding us.
We can build an artistic colony with that fund.
We have no unity among two groups in the community .
Government & builders are taking us for granted.
They are playing with us.
We are eagerly waiting to see what they could offer us.
I would want to request all the countries in the world if they want to save the many artforms, cultures of India.
They should do it in a way which preserves the lifestyle and culture.
they should think and view the lives of artists as to where does it start and end.
These traditional arts have no end. They will live forever even if the artist has no money, power, order and work.
They will work on streets, home or palaces or allies.
The artist and the art will never fade . They will remain rooted.
My request to the world is to save the artists and provide them opportunities and platforms
to share their work and be able to exchange it with the cultures of other nations.
We have changed and are now wearing shorts and t-shirts.
If we stay in flats then our women will start wearing Jeans and T-Shirts.