Inspired by Faith

Dutta has shot extensively in Delhi, Kolkata, Varanasi and Vrindavan. Her black-and-white prints capture the contrast between the widows from Vrindavan and the figure of Durga. “I have shot at the most unexpected places, among the widows of Vrindavan, touring the roads of Kolkata on a rickshaw, and in Chittranjan Park in Delhi before the Durga puja celebrations, to show how Durga as a woman is omnipresent in all stratas of society.

Dutta had her friend and senior fashion stylist Rakhi Biswas play the role of Durga, dressed in finery and a blazing red sari. “I was shooting in  one of the homes in Vrindavan on an evening when the widows sang bhajans. Suddenly, they picked up the dhol and began dancing. In the centre was Rakhi and they were all so engrossed, it was difficult to tell that they were actually being photographed,” says Dutta.

The exhibition is on at The Gallery on MG, near Sultanpur Metro station till March 28. Contact: 7838928798