International Day of Happiness: Veteran puppeteer battles injury, poverty after accident | Ahmedabad News
AHMEDABAD: For five decades, Ramesh Raval, 72, didn’t just pull strings; he breathed life into leather and paper, making the world dance to his tunes. From the grand stages of Italy, Japan and Iran to the humble classrooms of Gujarat, Raval spent his life turning discarded scraps into living art. But as the world marks the International Day of Happiness on March 20, the man who once spread joy to thousands now lies immobilized in a quiet room, his own happiness dimming under the weight of financial struggle.The turning point in Raval’s life came on Jan 26, when a speeding two-wheeler struck him near Akhbarnagar, shattering his hip. Though surgery followed, recovery has been slow and isolating, leaving the once-independent artist completely dependent on others.Raval’s journey began at 20, earning just Rs 250 a month at Darpana Academy, where he watched Parsi puppetry maestro Meher Contractor teach— an encounter that quietly sparked the passion that shaped his life.“I was mesmerized. After classes, I’d collect the discarded paper scraps left by students, take them home, and study the shapes. I would then create something and show it to Meher. Recognizing my passion, she hired me as a helper,” Raval recalls, his eyes filling with tears.Raval reached the peak of his career after leaving Darpana. In 1979, he joined Reliance’s Vimal textile unit as a labourer, but his creative urge refused to stay dormant. He approached Sushil Kothari and Ramnik Ambani with an idea that soon took shape as the Vimal Cultural Group. Under this banner, Raval achieved his most remarkable milestone — bringing the Dhola Maru love legend to life through life-sized puppets, including a full-sized camel that captivated audiences at Tagore Hall. The production was a resounding success, spreading joy through sheer craftsmanship and innovation.However, fate dealt a harsh blow. The group shut down for reasons never made clear, and Raval spent several years wandering as a monk. Eventually, he returned to his true calling — puppetry — travelling across countries to conduct workshops and share his craft.Today, after spending more than Rs 70,000 on treatment, Raval and his sister Kumud are left with virtually nothing. The art that once brought joy to audiences across the world has offered him no safety net. For a man who still carries the spark to teach, survival and recovery now rest entirely on the kindness of well-wishers responding to his appeals on social media.
