On the 22nd of August, Professor Nithil Dennis, Director of Symbiosis School for Photography gave a guest lecture at the Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts on “Visual Documentation of Indigenous Communities in India - An Anthropological perspective”. The lecture focused upon the Bhat family from Kathputli Colony in Delhi, and their practiced art of ‘Kathputli’ or puppeteering. Professor Dennis spoke about the time he spent documenting the slowly dying art form, and the various accolades won by the family, including prominent international performances. Professor Dennis also screened his film ‘Raasta’, which talks about the Bhat Family and the Kathputli art form. The session ended with Professor Dennis giving a brief overview of the Van Gujjar community, and the deputy director, Dr. Shweta Deshpande, urging students to think about the future of these tribes.
