Crafting Marbat: Understanding Nagpur’s Most Unique Tradition

This heritage walk takes you into the lesser-seen world of Marbat effigy-making — an enduring cultural practice rooted in the heart of Nagpur. As the holy month of Shravana draws to a close, the narrow lanes of the old city come alive with quiet activity, where local communities begin shaping the Kali and Pili Marbat — towering effigies that are both artistic expressions and powerful social commentaries.

Through direct engagement with the makers, the walk explores the evolving craftsmanship, symbolism, and collective voice embodied in these figures. How did Marbat emerge as a form of protest and satire? What materials, rituals, and meanings are woven into each effigy? What traditions endure, and what has transformed over time?

Part of Nagpur’s intangible cultural heritage, the making of Marbat offers deep insight into the city’s folk memory, resistance narratives, and the rich interplay between ritual, art, and identity. This is Marbat —…