The hands that pulled the strings at opening show

While most of the artistes had been selected by the CWG Organising Committee from various parts of the country,at least 215 hailed from Kathputli Colony in Shadipur Depot,South Delhi.

Also known as Kalakar Basti,the sprawling slum is famous for its puppeteers,magicians and dancers. And their participation in the Games did not end on Sunday. They have been roped in to perform at the closing ceremony as well.

Amit Bhaat,an 18-year-old boy from the colony,says,“I beat the Nagada,I held the strings of the Buddha. It was nice.” He is not the only Kathputli resident who is excited. Most say they had “never seen such a huge gathering” in their lives.

Ravi Bhatt,a fire-eater by profession,says,“I was holding the rods supporting the huge puppets.” Showing the gashes on his hands,he adds,“This is what happened when I held the ropes. It hurt,but I enjoyed being part of something this big.”

Kathputli Colony had been in the news for many reasons,the most recent being a governmental decision to relocate them. “Whatever has to happen will happen only after the Commonwealth Games is over. We will see what happens,” says Kailash Bhatt,head of the House of Puppets.

“We have been preparing ourselves for over a month now,” says 16-year-old Sunil,who used to leave home at 6 am for rehearsals and return late in the evening.

And for their hard work,the artistes were given just Rs 250 a day. “Even the sweepers are given Rs 500 a day,we were given just half of that,” said Bhatt.

The artistes are,however,yet to receive their payment.

They have yet another complaint. “We were told we were the backbone of the show. My family thought they would see me on television,but I was nowhere to be seen,” rues another performer,Rajender.