Master Raghav lifted the painted puppet high while drums thumped beyond the tent and lantern light danced on the cloth stage. “Dussehra remembers Rama’s victory over Ravana,” he said. “Ravana was strong and clever, but he used his power the wrong way.”

Vivaan edged closer, his blue kurta brushing Kavya’s yellow sleeve. “So people burn Ravana because he was mean?” he asked. Vivek rested a hand on his shoulder and said, “Because power without truth can hurt others. That is the lesson in the story.”