Simran, Homeless Shelter, Delhi, India 2007

Curator: What strikes me first about this piece is the intense quietude—a sort of concentrated listening. Editor: Indeed. We are looking at a black and white photograph by Fazal Sheikh, taken in 2007. It's titled "Simran, Homeless Shelter, Delhi, India." The subject, a child, is captured in a moment of introspection. The image vibrates with meaning that’s almost hard to put into words. Curator: It feels almost timeless, doesn't it? That monochrome palette strips away the distractions of colour, leaving us with pure form and emotion. I find myself drawn to the soft light, which caresses the contours of the face. I almost want to touch the face! The cropped hair also feels quite iconic—what does that signify for you? Editor: The cropped hair could be interpreted in many ways within the context of homelessness—loss, institutionalization, or even, ironically, a form of enforced conformity. But the most potent symbol for me here are the eyes, downcast and contemplative. It invites us to ponder the unspoken stories carried within this single, poignant portrait. I am unsure about the lack of a smile though—what would a smile symbolize in the work? Curator: The absence of a smile underscores the harsh realities this child likely faces. This piece is, in a sense, an act of witnessing, of giving visibility to those often overlooked by society. In some cultures, sadness or melancholy is not frowned upon but accepted as natural so the subject may simply have been in quiet contemplation without having to express joy—something deeply reflective, maybe. Editor: It certainly reframes street photography—we have context here, of course, the shelter, Delhi—but even without it, Sheikh isolates this moment in time as significant. What I mean to say is that we are made to remember Simran, a child amidst who-knows-what adversity, still remaining in my mind today! Curator: Ultimately, "Simran" becomes more than just a portrait of a child; it's a powerful meditation on vulnerability, resilience, and the enduring human spirit. I love this sense of ongoing legacy—the idea that we remember this photograph after seeing it! Editor: Absolutely. This image is one of remembrance—Simran is imprinted onto us and the viewer is then imprinted into this moment.