Raudra, from the series The Navarasa Suite 2003

Pushpamala N made this photograph, Raudra, from the series The Navarasa Suite, using light and shadow to create a theatrical drama of emotion. The grayscale palette lends a timeless quality to the scene, as if pulled from the pages of history or myth. There's something so striking about the contrast between the ornate details of the clothing, that veil, and the stark reality of the blades. It's like a dance between beauty and danger, a delicate balance that keeps you on edge. Look closely at the subject's expression, the slight furrow of the brow, the intensity in the eyes – it's all carefully constructed to convey a sense of raw emotion. I am reminded of Cindy Sherman who used photography to explore ideas of representation and identity. Like Sherman, Pushpamala N uses photography to construct narratives and challenge conventional ways of seeing. Ultimately, it's this willingness to embrace complexity and ambiguity that makes art so compelling, inviting us to question our assumptions and expand our understanding of the world.