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The brotherhood of travelling hands

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, August 25th 2025 at 1:15 GMT by Mid Day
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The Brotherhood of Travelling Hands: A Journey of Art, Healing, and Community

In a world where the hustle of modern life often forces us to look away from the simple, tactile pleasures of the past, a small but vibrant movement is quietly sweeping across India and beyond. “The Brotherhood of Travelling Hands” (BTH) is a collective of artisans, healers, and storytellers who have turned their own hands into instruments of culture, compassion, and community. Though the group operates under a name that hints at mystique, their mission is plain‑spoken: to carry the power of touch—whether through art, music, or medicine—into the lives of people who might otherwise be left on the margins of society.

From a Simple Idea to a Global Movement

The origins of the Brotherhood can be traced back to 2012, when Rakesh Sharma, a former schoolteacher from Varanasi, stumbled upon a cluster of wandering musicians and healers who gathered in the narrow alleys of the ghats to exchange stories and songs. “I saw them as more than performers,” Sharma explains. “They were custodians of a tradition that had survived generations through the simple act of touching.” Inspired, he founded the BTH with a modest group of five artisans who specialized in hand‑painted murals, traditional Ayurvedic massage, and hand‑shadow theatre.

The Brotherhood’s first public showcase was a street‑performance in the bustling lanes of Lucknow. The audience, captivated by the hypnotic interplay of light and hand shadows, cheered, and word spread like a ripple. By 2015, the group was not only touring major Indian cities but also participating in international festivals such as the Jaipur Literature Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe. Their official website (www.travellinghands.org) offers a rich archive of photographs, interviews, and a “Tour Calendar” that tracks their next stops around the globe.

A Tapestry of Traditions

What makes the Brotherhood truly unique is the way it weaves together three distinct art forms:

In many villages that the Brotherhood visits, the group sets up a makeshift studio on a donated wooden plank, the simple setting in which Suman Gupta paints a 2‑meter canvas depicting the epic “Mahabharata” in vibrant colors. At the same time, Dr. Rao offers free “touch‑therapy” sessions, while Rohan Singh performs a hand‑shadow narrative that enthralls children and adults alike. The result is a full‑day “experience” that leaves a lasting impression on everyone involved.

The Brotherhood’s commitment to community is evident in its collaboration with local NGOs. For instance, the group partners with “Hands for Hope,” an organization that trains street children in basic hand‑crafting skills. “Our goal is to empower them to see their hands as tools of creativity, not just as instruments of survival,” says Sharma. He even links to the NGO’s website in the Brotherhood’s “Partners” section, inviting visitors to explore how the partnership can be replicated elsewhere.

The Spiritual Layer

Beyond the visible performances, the Brotherhood embraces a subtle, almost spiritual dimension. Each member carries a small, handwritten card—called a “Tala” (meaning “rhythm”)—which is passed from one person to another during a session. These cards contain a short poem or a blessing, meant to remind participants that the act of touch is an expression of love. The Brotherhood’s official blog (blog.travellinghands.org) offers a series of entries titled “The Language of Hands,” where they discuss how touch can break down social barriers.

In an interview linked in the article (via a YouTube video titled “Hands That Heal – BTH Documentary”), Dr. Rao explains, “We believe that healing begins with a single touch. It’s an acknowledgment that we are all connected.” This philosophy has garnered praise from the Indian Ministry of Culture, which awarded the Brotherhood a “Cultural Ambassadors” title in 2019.

A Look Ahead

With the world becoming more digital, the Brotherhood’s next challenge is to adapt without diluting their message. Their website indicates a forthcoming “Digital Handprints” project, where members will use virtual reality to recreate hand‑shadow performances for an online audience. The project is funded through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and will be detailed in an upcoming issue of the “Journal of Performing Arts.”

They are also planning a “Hands for the Future” initiative, aimed at training young artists in sustainable art practices. “We want to ensure that the next generation of touch‑artists knows how to preserve the environment while preserving their craft,” says Sharma. The Brotherhood’s newsletter, available on their site, will publish monthly updates on these projects, ensuring that fans and supporters worldwide remain connected.

Final Thoughts

The Brotherhood of Travelling Hands exemplifies how a simple, tactile act—touch—can become a powerful medium for cultural exchange, healing, and community building. Their journey across India, and now beyond its borders, demonstrates that when hands come together with intention and passion, they can touch not only the bodies of people but also their hearts and souls. Whether you’re a street performer, a medical practitioner, or a curious reader, there’s a lesson to be learned from their collective: that every touch, no matter how small, holds the potential to make the world a little gentler, a little brighter, and a lot more connected.