Women making a Samha Devi image, Haryana 1977

Editor: Here we have Jyoti Bhatt’s 1977 photograph, "Women Making a Samha Devi Image, Haryana". The photograph captures women creating what appears to be an image of a goddess or deity on a wall. The figures are formed with circles, which contrast starkly in black and white. What strikes me is how this photograph documents both an artistic creation and a communal act. How do you interpret the symbolic nature of such community art? Curator: What resonates deeply is the persistence of visual languages. The circular motifs used to compose the figures – have you noticed the careful arrangement? They seem to represent not just a decorative element but a deeper symbolic continuity. This recalls the cycle of life, and perhaps the seeds of existence, so intrinsic to the goddess figure. Do you think the women's engagement reinforces these cultural symbols, almost like a cultural memory being re-enacted? Editor: Absolutely, it is as though their actions are breathing life into a tradition, making it tangible. Do you think the act of creating the Samha Devi image is as important as the image itself? Curator: Precisely. This touches upon a critical point about iconography - the performative aspect. The act of creation is an integral part of the symbol. The image serves as a conduit to their spiritual heritage. Their shared labor invests it with renewed vigor and relevance. Consider the psychological impact; what does it mean for a community to collectively visualize and re-affirm their shared identity? Editor: It seems to foster unity and a shared understanding of their cultural identity. It’s really thought-provoking to consider how creating these images actively reinforces their collective memory and beliefs. Curator: Yes, each circle, carefully placed, becomes a marker of that memory, constantly renewed, continuously re-lived, which then builds their connection with the Samha Devi image. This act sustains cultural identity. It’s more than just art; it's cultural preservation in action.