Suburban King/Top Girl

How high can you go in the slums of India? Somewhere among the dank alleys of Jogeshwari, Mumbai’s skyscrapers rising in the distance, a group of young people are preparing for the annual Dahi Handi festival. Central to the festival is the formation of huge human pyramids, traditionally with the aim of grabbing and breaking an earthen pot hung high above the ground – an imitation of Krishna, who, according to legend, used the same method to steal butter from his neighbors. “This is a game of faith,” explains the coach who has been doing this work for 20 years. The participants need to be willing to make big sacrifices for the reward of local fame. They have to wake up early, work hard and risk their lives balancing at great heights. “I’m not scared of anything,” says Vidyadhar, who stands at the peak of the pyramid. “I can die anytime, anywhere. That’s why I choose to be fearless.” But the most fearless of all is little Prapti, who stands on Vidyadhar’s shoulders and forms the absolute pinnacle, her arms outstretched. Everyone holds their breath as the pyramid is built, human by human, layer by layer, until they stand nine high. But what goes up must come down again.