Ravana effigy maker works at Titarpur area of New Delhi

From the archive record

Ravana effigy maker works at Titarpur area of New Delhi. He boils the gum to paste the papers on the effigy of Ravana. One can see the head of effigies lined up on the footpath. He then applies the gum to black papers. The streets of Titarpur in West Delhi are lined with tall, intricately-woven bamboo frames, and gigantic heads of Ravana made using papier-mache. Artisans are seen peeling bamboo, using its wicker to make the skeleton of the "demon king". But on Dussehra, when the whole country revels as these effigies are burnt, gloom descends on Titarpur. Being one of the largest effigy markets in the country with a 40-year-old history, Titarpur worships Ravana. Indebted to their hero, the craftsmen here believe that he is a source of their livelihood the art has perked up the area's econo