From the archive record
This footage takes viewers into the heart of Titarpur, West Delhi, India's most renowned center for the construction of Dussehra effigies. Beneath the elevated tracks of the Delhi Metro, local artisans work tirelessly to create towering representations of Ravana, the legendary demon king from the epic Ramayana. Using traditional materials such as bamboo frameworks, papier-mâché, colorful paper, metallic foils, and hand-painted decorations, craftsmen transform simple raw materials into monumental festival structures. As the camera moves through the narrow lanes and pavements beneath the metro corridor, rows of finished and semi-finished effigies stretch into the distance. The scene presents a fascinating contrast between centuries-old festive traditions and modern urban infrastructure. Skil