A group of 1,200 families in New Delhi's Kathputli Colony has been the guardian of string puppets, one of the most traditional art forms in India. Their ancestors used to perform in palaces, entertaining kings and nobles. But today, the unique art is facing extinction. Now the streets replace the glorious days of standing on stage at royal residences. Their trade is threatened by new technology as puppeteers find it challenging to rival tricks found on television or the Internet. Their children do not want to carry on the legacy because they can't make a living out of puppetry. Manpreet Singh records the ancient art of balancing on strings before it disappears.

Originating thousands of years ago, the unique form of puppetry kathputlis is on the brink of disappearing. Photos by Manpreet Singh / for China Daily