Kathputli Colony Tour: Historical Trip to the Home of India's Street Performers
5.0
6 Ratings
New Delhi
Discover the enchanting Kathputli Colony, home to India's street performers for over 60 years. Join our historical tour and witness their immense talent and vibrant culture!
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Baljit Nagar - Our guide will meet you at outside the Domino’s Patel nagar and then get an e-rickshaw to the community.
    See an old performance of Kathputli dance(Puppeteers) for about two-hours.Some of their very well known puppets are Indian Michael Jackson,Romeo and Juliet.Indian Magician’s etc.
What's Included
  • Local guide
  • Tea and coffee
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop off
  • Any personal expenses
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

For more than 60 years, the street artists and performers of India’s north had lived in a slum area near Shadipur station in west Delhi. It was known as Kathputli Colony and was home to some 2800 families of magicians, snake charmers, acrobats, singers, dancers, henna artists, jugglers - and much more!

Kathputli was the slum that inspired author Salman Rushdie to include it in his celebrated novel, Midnight’s Children. ‘Kathputli’ in the Hindi language means ‘puppet’ …

In late 2017, the worst nightmares of Kathputli’s residents became a reality when the whole area was demolished for the reconstruction of new homes. The residents, some forced into homelessness.

Street Tours was a supporter of these colourful and immensely talented families in their former neighbourhood and are very proud to continue the tradition by inviting tourists to be guided to the residential streets and modest homes of many street performers - who will be only too happy to put on a show for you!

Location
South Patel Nagar (Metro Station)
Our guides meet you at the Domino's.Outside the station.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(6 Ratings)
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Cynapath8
Feb 16, 2024
A slum tour, what else to say 😁 - A very unique tour.I have never been in a slum before. Santan was easy going very friendly and seemed to know many of the locals in the slam. I didn't catch but one puppeteer's exhibition nevertheless I don't think I have ever taken a more unique tour
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alison
Jan 9, 2024
Great experience! - Totally recommend this tour! Street performers and entertainers were very talented people. We were invited into their homes to see them perform. Tea and snacks provided. Excellent guide with very good English. Very interesting to see how these people live. Thank you so much.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Luca
Nov 17, 2023
Amazing tour that brings you into the houses of local artists - This was my second tour with Santal, since I enjoyed so much the first one. The tour brings you to the heart of this street artists community, letting you meet and chat with local artists in their homes and even see them in action! Santal is a very professional guide who does a lot for the community. During the tour he shares a lot of amazing information and makes you feel super safe. Highly recommended experience if you want to see a different side of Delhi.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Davidml5709mz
Oct 23, 2023
A must in Delhi - Really fascinating tour with an friendly, experienced and very knowledgeable guide. A great insight into the artists life's and how they put together their performances. Would really recommend this tour to appreciate the talent that exists.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ranr798
Aug 26, 2023
Exciting experience - A very exciting experience meeting the beautiful and generous people of the neighbourhood . We were hosted by an amazing family who shared with us their talent (music, painting, puppeteering) their home and their food. We were two families with young kids and it was a very meaningful experience for all of us. Santan is a great guide who helped made it more of a family and neighbourhood visit rather than a “tour”.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
James
Jun 1, 2023
A chance to glimpse a hidden world of street artists and puppeteers - Great opportunity to be amongst a group of Artists and performers in an area that would feel off limits without the guiding hand of Santan and Jhon. They seemed to know pretty much everyone everywhere we went . I would definitely to it again and recommend that you do !!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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1 Adult
May 2024
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